
Book dSkZ. 



E E P O E T ? 

:r. 

OP .\ 



LIEUTEMNT-GENEML U. S. GRANT, 



OF THE 



ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES-1864-'65. 



ACCOMPANIED BY A PORTRAIT. 



NEW YORK: 
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, 

443 & 446 BROADWAY 

1865. 



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'i0> ti^ / 



Jf 



\ 




lEUT. GEN. U. S.ARNLY. 



NawVovk. D. Applaton a i 



RE P O ET 



OF 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT, 



OF THE 



ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES-1864-'65. 



ACCOMPANIED BY A POBTUAIT. 



NEW YOKK: 
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, 

443 & 445 BROADWAY. 
1866. 






mn 



"j-». 



REPORT 



LIEUTENANT-GEIEEAL U. S. GRANT, 



ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES-1864-'65. 



Headquarters Armies op the United States, ) 
Washington, D. C, July 22, 1865. f 

Sek : — I have the honoi* to submit the following report of the 
operations of the Armies of the United States from the date of 
my appointment to command the same. 

From an early period in the rebellion I had been impressed 
with the idea that active and continuous operations of all the 
troops that could be brought into the field, regardless of season 
and weather, were necessary to a speedy termination of the war. 
The resources of the enemy and his numerical strength were far 
inferior to ours ; but as an offset to this, we had a vast territory, 
with a population hostile to the Government, to garrison, and long 
lines of river and railroad communications to protect, to enable us 
to supply the 0]3erating armies. 

The armies in the East and West acted independently and 
without concert, like a balky team, no two ever pulling together, 
enabling the enemy to use to great advantage his interior lines of 
communication for transporting troops from East to West, reen- 
forcing the army most vigorously pressed, and to furlough large 
numbers, during seasons of inactivity on our part, to go to thei'r 
homes and do the work of producing, for the support of their 
armies. It was a question whether our numerical strength and 
resources were not more than balanced by these disadvantages and 
the enemy's superior position. 



4: REPORT OP LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT. 

From tlie first, I was firm in tlie conviction that no peace could 
be had that would be stable and conducive to the happiness of the 
people, both North and South, until the military power of the re- 
bellion was entirely broken. 

I therefore determined, first, to use the greatest number of 
troops practicable against the armed force of the enemy ; prevent- 
ing him from using the same force at difierent seasons against first 
one and then another of our armies, and the possibility of rej^ose 
for refitting and producing necessary supplies for carrying on re- 
sistance. Second, to hammer continuously against the armed 
force of the enemy and his resources, until by mere attrition, if in 
no other way, there should be nothing left to him but an equal 
submission with the loyal section of our common country to the 
Constitution and laws of the land. 

These views have been kept constantly in mind, and orders 
given and campaigns made to carry them out. Whether they 
might have been better in conception and execution is for the 
■[»eople, who mourn the loss of friends fallen, and who have to pay 
the pecuniary cost, to say. All I can say is, that what I have done 
has been done conscientiously, to the best of my ability, and in 
what I conceived to be for the best interests of the whole country. 

At the date when this report begins the situation of the con- 
tending forces was about as follows : The Mississippi River was 
strongly garrisoned by Federal troops from St. Louis, Missouri, to 
its mouth. The line of the Arkansas was also held, thus giving us 
armed possession of all west of the Mississippi, north of that stream. 
A few points in southern Louisiana, not remote from the river, 
w^ere held by us, together with a small garrison at and near the 
mouth of the Eio Grande. All the balance of the vast territory 
of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas was in the almost undisputed 
possession of the enemy, with an army of probably not less than 
80,000 efiective men that could have been brought into the field 
had there been sufiicient opposition to have brought them out. The 
let-alone policy had demoralized this force so much that probably 
little more than one-half of it was ever present in garrison at any 
one time. But the one-half, or 40,000 men, with the bands of guer- 
rillas scattered through Missouri, Arkansas, and along the Mississip- 
pi Eiver, and the disloyal character of much of the population, 
compelled the use of a large number of troops to keep navigation 
open on the river, and to protect the loyal people to the west of it. 



EEPOET OF LIETJTENAITT-GENEEAL U. S. GRANT. 5 

To the east of tlie Mississippi we held substantially with the line 
of the Tennessee and Holston Eivers, running eastward to include 
nearly all of the State of Tennessee. South of Chattanooga, a 
small foothold had been obtained in Georgia, sufficient to protect 
East Tennessee from incursions from the enemy's force at Dalton, 
Georgia. "West Yirgiuia was substantially within our lines. Vir- 
ginia, with' the exception of the northern border, the Potomac River, 
a- small area about the mouth of James River, covered by the troops 
at Norfolk and Fort Monroe, and the territory covered by the Army 
of the Potomac lying along the Rapidan, was in the possession 
of the enemy. Along the sea-coast footholds had been obtained at 
Plymouth, "Washington, and Newborn, in North Carolina ; Beau- 
fort, Folly and Morris Islands, Hilton Head, Fort Pulaski, and 
Port Royal in South Carolina ; Fernandina and St. Augustine, in 
Florida. Key West and Pensacola were also in our possession, 
while all the important ports were blockaded by the navy. The 
accompanying map, a copy of whicli was sent to General Sherman 
and other commanders in March, 1864, shows by red lines the ter- 
ritory occupied by us at tlie beginning of the rebellion, and at the 
opening of the campaign of 1864, while those in blue are the lines 
which it was proposed to occupy. 

Behind the Union lines there were many bands of guerrillas and 
a large poi3ulation disloyal to the Government, making it necessary 
to guard every foot of road or river used in supplying our armies. 
In the South a reign of military despotism prevailed, which made 
every man and boy capable of bearing arms a soldier; and those 
who could not bear arms in the field acted as provosts for collect- 
ing deserters and returning them. This enabled the enemy to 
bring almost his entire strength into the field. 

The enemy had concentrated the bulk of his forces east of the 
Mississippi into two armies, commanded by Generals R. E. Lee 
and J. E. Johnston, his ablest and best generals. The army com- 
manded by Lee occupied the south bank of the Rapidan, extend- 
ing li-om Mine Run westward, strongly intrenched, covering and 
defending Richmond, the rebel capital, against the Army of the 
Potomac. The army under Johnston occupied a strongly intrench- 
ed position at Dalton, Georgia, covering and defending Atlanta, 
Georgia, a place of great importance as a raiboad centre, against 
the armies under Major-General W. T. Sherman. In addition to 
these armies he had a large cavalry force under Forrest, in north- 



6 KEPOKT OF LIEUTEJSTANT-GENEEAIi TJ. S. GEANT. 

east MississipiDi ; a considerable force, of all arms, in the Shenan- 
doah Valley, and in the western part of Virginia and extreme 
eastern part of Tennessee ; and also confronting our sea-coast gar- 
risons, and holding blockaded ports where we had no foothold upon 
land. 

These two armies, and the cities covered and defended by them, 
were the main objective points of the campaign. 

Major-General W. T, Sherman, who was appointed to the com- 
mand of the Military Division of the Mississippi, embracing all the 
armies and territory east of the Mississippi Eiver to the Allegha- 
nies, and the Department of Arkansas, west of the Mississippi, had 
tte immediate command of the armies operating against Johnston. 

Major-General George G. Meade had the immediate command 
of the Army of the Potomac, from where I exercised general su- 
pervision of the movements of all our armies. 

General Sherman was instructed to move against Johnston's 
army, to break it up, and to go into the interior of the enemy's 
country as far as he could, inflicting all tlie damage he could upon 
their war resources. If the enemy in his front showed signs of 
joining Lee, to follow him up to the full extent of his ability, while 
I would prevent the concentration of Lee upon him if it was in the 
power of the Army of the Potomac to do so. More specific written 
instructions were not given, for the reason that I had talked over 
with him the plans of the campaign, and was satisfied that he 
understood them and would execute them to the fullest extent 
possible. 

Major-General N. P. Banks, then on an expedition up Eed 
Eiver against Shreveport, Louisiana (which had been organized 
previous to my appointment to command), was notified by me on 
the 15th of March, of the importance it was that Shreveport should 
be taken at the earliest possible day, and that if he found that the 
taking of it would occupy from ten to fifteen days' more time 
than General Sherman had given his troops to be absent from 
their command, he would send them back at the time spe- 
cified by General Sherman, even if it led to the abandonment 
of the main object of the Eed Eiver expedition, for this force was 
necessary to movements east of the Mississippi ; that should his 
expedition prove successful, he would hold Shreveport and the Eed 
Eiver with such force as he might deem necessary, and return the 
balance of his troops to the neighborhood of New Orleans, com- 



KEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL U. S. GKAJSTT. 7 

mencing no move for the furtlier acquisition of territory unless it 
was to make that then held by him more easily held ; that it might 
be a part of the spring campaign to move against Mobile ; that it 
certainly would be if troops enough could be obtained to make it 
without embarrassing other movements ; that JSTew Orleans would 
be the point of departure for such an expedition ; also, that I had 
directed General Steele to make a real move from Arkansas, as 
suggested by him (General Banks), instead of a demonstration, as 
Steele thought advisable. 

On the 31st of March, in addition to the foregoing notification 
and directions, he was instructed as follows : — 

" 1st. If successful in your expedition against Shreveport, that you turn 
over the defence of the Red River to General Steele and the navy. 

" 2d. That you abandon Texas entirely with the exception of your hold 
upon the Rio Grande. This can be held with four thousand men, if they 
will turn their attention immediately to fortifying their positions. At least 
one-half of the force required for this service might he taken from the 
colored troops. ^ 

" 3d. By properly fortifying on the Mississippi River, the force to guard 
it from Port Hudson to New Orleans can be reduced to ten thousand men, if 
not to a less number. Six thousand more would then hold all the rest of 
the territory necessary to hold until active operations can again be resumed 
west of the river. According to your last return this would give you a force 
of over thirty thousand effective men with which to move against Mobile. 
To this I expect to add five thousand men from Missouri. If, however, 
you think the force here stated too small to hold the territory regarded as 
necessary to hold possession of, I would say concentrate at least twenty- 
five thousand men of your present command for operations against Mobile. 
With these and such additions as I can give you from elsewhere, lose no 
time m making a demonstration, to be followed by an attack upon Mobile. 
Two or more iron-clads will be ordered to report to Admiral Farragut. 
This gives him a strong naval fleet with which to cooperate. You can 
make your own arrangements with the Admhal for his cooperation, and 
select your own line of approach. My own idea of the matter is that Pas- 
cagoula should be your base, but, from your long service in the Gulf De- 
partment, you will know best about the matter. It is intended that your 
movements shall be cooperative with movements elsewhere, and you cannot 
now start too soon. All I would now add is, that you commence the con- 
centration of your forces at once. Preserve a profound secresy of what you 
intend doing, and start at the earliest possible moment. 

" U. S. Gkant, Lieutenant-General. 
" Major-Genefal N. P. Banks." 



8 EEPOET OF LIEUTENAJSIT-GENEKAL U. S. GEANT. 

Major-Gen eral Meade was instructed that Lee's army would be 
his objective point; that wherever Lee went he would go also. 
For his movement two plans presented themselves: One to cross 
the Kapidan below Lee, moving by his right flank ; the other above, 
moving by his left. Each presented advantages over the other, 
with corresponding objections. By crossing above, Lee would be 
cut off from all chance of ignoring Eichmond or going north on a 
raid. But if we took this route all we did would have to be done 
whilst the rations we started with held out ; besides, it separated 
us from Butler, so that he could not be directed how to cooperate. 
If we took the other route, Brandy Station could be used as a base 
of supplies until another was secured on the York or James Rivers, 
Of these, however, it was decided to take the lower route. 

The following letter of instruction was addressed to Major- 
General B. F. Butler : 
I 

"Fort Monroe, Va., April 2, 1864. 

" General : In the spring campaign, which it is desirable shall com- 
mence at as early a day as practicable, it is proposed to have cooperative 
action of all the armies in the field, as far as this object can he accom- 
plished. 

" It will not he possible to unite our armies into two or three large 
ones to act as so many units, owing to the absolute necessity of holding 
on to the territory already taken from the enemy. But, generally speak- 
ing, concentration can be practically effected by armies moving to the inte- 
rior of the enemy's country from the territory they have to guard. By 
such movement they interpose themselves between the enemy and the 
country to be guarded, thereby reducing the number necessary to guard 
important points, or at least occupy the attention of a part of the enemy's 
force, if no greater object is gained. Lee's army and Eichmond being the 
greater objects toward which our attention must be directed irf the next 
campaign, it is desirable to unite all the force we can against them. The 
necessity of covering Washington with the Army of the Potomac, and of 
covering your department with your army, makes it impossible to unite 
these forces at the beginning of any move. I propose, therefore, what 
comes nearest this of any thing that seems practicable : The Army of the 
Potomac will act from its present base, Lee's army being the objective 
point. You will collect all the forces from your command that can be 
spared for garrison- duty — I should say not less than twenty thousand 
effective men — to operate on the south side of James River, Richmond 
being your objective point. To the force you already have will be added 
about ten thousand men from South Carolina, under Major-General Gill- 



EEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEKAL U. S. GKANT. 9 

more, who will command tliem in person, Major-General W. F. Smitli is 
ordered to report to you, to command the troops sent into tlie field from 
your own department. 

" General Gillmore will be ordered to report to you at Fortress Monroe, 
witli all the troops on transports, by the 1 8th instant, or as soon thereafter 
as practicable. Should you not receive notice by that time to move, you 
will make such disposition of them and your other forces as you may 
deem best calculated to deceive the enemy as to the real move to be made. 

" When you are notified to move, take City Point with as much force 
as possible. Fortify, or rather intrench, at once, and concentrate all your 
troops for the field there as rapidly as you can. From City Point direc- 
tions cannot be given at this time for your further movements. 

" The fact that has already been stated — that is, that Richmond is to 
be your objective point, and that there is to be cooperation between your 
force and the Army of the Potomac — must be your guide. This indicates 
the necessity of your holding close to the south bank of the James River 
as you advance. Then, should the enemy be forced into his intrench- 
ments in Richmond, the Army of the Potomac would follow, and by 
means of transports the two armies would become a unit. 

" All the minor details of your advance are left entirely to your direc- 
tion. If, however, you think it practicable to use your cavalry south of 
you so as to cut the railroad about Hick's Ford about the time of the gen- 
eral advance, it would be of immense advantage. 

" You will please forward for my information, at the earliest practica- 
ble day, all orders, details, and instructions you may give for the execution 
of this order. U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-Gen eral. 

" Major-General B. F. 3utler." 

On tlie 16th, these instructions were substantially reiterated. 
On the 19th, in order to secure full cooperation between his army 
and that of General Meade, he was informed that I expected him 
to move from Fort Monroe the same day that General Meade 
moved from Culj)epper. The exact time I was to telegraph him as 
soon as it was fixed, and that it would not be earKer than the 2Yth 
of April ; that it was mj intention to fight Lee between Culpejjper 
and Richmond if he would stand. Should he, however, fall back 
into Richmond, I would .follow up and make a junction with his 
(General Butler's) army on the James River ; that, could I be cer- 
tain he would be able to invest Richmond on the south side so as 
to have his left resting on the James, above the city, I would form 
the junction there ; that circumstances might make this course ad- 
visable anyhow ; that he should use every exertion to secure foot- 



10 EEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL TJ. S. GRANT. 

ing as far up the south side of the river as he could, and as soon as 
possible after the receipt of orders to move ; that if he could not 
carry the city, he should at least detain as large a force as possible. 

In cooperation with the main movements against Lee and John- 
ston, I was desirous of using all other troops necessarily kept in de- 
partments remote from the jEields of immediate operations, and also 
those kept in the background for the protection of our extended 
hues between the loyal States and the armies operating against 
them. 

A very considerable force, under command of Major-General 
Sigel, was so held for the protection of West Yirginia, and the 
frontiers of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Whilst these troops 
could not be withdrawn to distant fields without exposing the 
!N^orth to invasion by comparatively small bodies of the enemy, 
they could act directly to their front and give better protection than 
if lying idle in garrison. By such a movement they would either 
compel the enemy to detach largely for the protection of his supplies 
and lines of communication, or he would lose them. General Sigel 
was therefore directed to organize all his available force into two ex- 
peditions, to move from Beverly and Charleston, under command of 
Generals Ord and Crook, against the East Tennessee and Virginia 
Eailroad. Subsequently, General Ord having been relieved at his 
own request, General Sigel was instructed, at his own suggestion, to 
give up the expedition by Beverly, and to form two columns, one 
under General Crook, on the Kanawha, numbering about ten thou- 
sand men, and one on the Shenandoah,*numbering about seven 
thousand men. The one on the Shenandoah to assemble between 
Cumberland and the Shenandoah, and the infantry and artillery 
advanced to Cedar Creek with such cavalry as could be made avail- 
able at the moment, to threaten the enemy in the Shenandoah 
Valley, and advance as far as possible ; while General Crook would 
take possession of Lewisburg with part of his force and move down 
the Tennessee Eailroad, doing as much damage as he could, de- 
stroying the 'New Eiver bridge and salt works, at Saltville, Ya. 

Owing to the weather and bad condition of the roads, opera- 
tions were delayed until the 1st of May, when, every thing being 
in readiness and the roads favorable, orders were given for a gene- 
ral movemeut of all the armies not later than the 4:th of May. 

My fii'st object being to break the military power of the rebel- 
lion and capture the enemy's important strongholds, made me de- 



REPORT OF LIETJTENAlirr-GENEEAL tJ. S. GRANT. 11 

siroiis that General Butler should succeed in his movement against 
Eichmond, as that would tend more than any thing else, unless it 
were the capture of Lee's army, to accomplish this desired result 
in the East. If it failed, it was my determination, by hard fighting, 
either to compel Lee to retreat or to so cripple him that he could 
not detach a large force to go north and still retain enough for the 
defence of Richmond. It was well understood, by both Generals 
Butler and Meade, before starting on the campaign, that it was 
my intention to put both their armies south of the James River, 
in case of failure to destroy Lee without it. 

Before giving General Butler his instructions, I visited him at 
Fort Monroe, and in conversation pointed out the apparent im- 
portance of getting possession of Petersburg and destroying rail- 
road communication as far south as possible. Believing, however, . 
in the practicability of capturing Richmond unless it was reen- 
forced, I made that the objective point of his operations. As the 
Array of the Potomac was to move simultaneously with him, Lee 
could not detach from his army with safety, and the enemy did 
not have troops elsewhere to bring to the defence of the city in 
time to meet a rapid movement from the north of James River. 

I may here state that, commanding all the armies as I did, I 
tried, as far as possible, to leave General Meade in independent 
command of the Army of the Potomac. My instructions for that 
army were all through him, and were general in their nature, 
leaving all the details and the execution to him. The campaigns 
that followed proved him to be the right man in the right place. 
His commanding always in the presence of an ofiicer superior to 
him in rank, has drawn from him much of that public attention 
that his zeal and ability entitle him to, and which he would other- 
wise have received. 

The movement of the Ai'my of the Potomac commenced early 
on the morning of the 4th of May, under the immediate direction 
and orders of Major-General Meade, pursuant to instructions. Before 
night the whole army was across the Rapidan (the Fifth and Sixth 
Corps crossing at Germania Ford, and the Second Corps at United 
States Ford, the cavalry, under Major General Sheridan, moving in 
advance), with the greater part of its trains, numbering about 4,000 
wagons, meeting with but slight opposition. The average distance 
travelled by the troops that day was about twelve miles. This I 
regarded as a great success, and it removed fronl my mind the 



12 KEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL U. S. GEANT. 

most serious apprehensions I had entertained, that of crossing tlie 
river in the face of an active, large, vrell-appointed, and ablj-com- 
manded army, and how so large a train was to be carried through 
a hostile country and protected. Early on the 5th, the advance 
corps (the Fifth, Major-General G. K. Warren commanding) met 
and engaged the enemy outside his intrenehments near Mine Eun. 
The battle raged furiously all day, the whole army being brought 
into the fight as fast as the corps could be got upon the field, 
which, considering the density of the forest and narrowness of the 
roads, was done with commendable promptness. 

General Burnside, with the Ninth Corps, was, at the time the 
Army of the Potomac moved, left with the bulk of his coi'ps at 
the crossing of the Rappahannock River and Alexandria Railroad, 
holding the road back to Bull Run, with instructions not to move 
until he received notice that a crossing of the Rapidan was secured, 
but to move promptly as soon as such notice was received. This 
crossing he was apprised of on the afternoon of the 4th. By six 
o'clock of the morning of the 6th, he was leading his corps into 
action near the Wilderness tavern, some of his troops having 
marched a distance of over thirty miles, crossing both the Rappa- 
hannock and Rapidan Rivers. Considering that a large proportion, 
probably two-thirds of his command, was composed of new troops, 
unaccustomed to marches and carrying the accoutrements of a 
soldier, this was a remarkable march. 

The battle of the Wilderness was renewed by us at five o'clock 
on the morning of the 6th, and continued with unabated fury 
until darkness set in, each army holding substantially the same 
position that they had on the evening of the 5th. After dark, the 
enemy made a feeble attempt to turn our right flank, capturing 
several hundred prisoners, and creating considerable confusion. 
But the promptness of General Sedgwick, who was personally 
present and commanding thaK part of our line, soon reformed it 
and restored order. On the morning of the 7th, reconnoissances 
showed that the enemy had fallen behind his intrenched lines, 
with pickets to the front, covering a part of the battle-field. 
From this it was evident to my mind that the two days' fighting 
had satisfied him of his inability to further maintain the contest in 
the open field, notwithstanding his advantage of position, and that 
he would wait an attack behind his works. I therefore determined 
to push on and put my whole force between him and Richmond ; 



REPORT OF LIEUTEISrANT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT. 13 

and orders were at once issued for a movement by his right flank. 
On the night of the Yth the march was commenced toward Spott- 
sylvania Court-House, the Fifth Corps moving on the most direct 
road. But the enemy having become apprised of our movement, 
and having the shorter line, was enabled to reach there first. On 
the 8th, General Warren met a force of the enemy, which had 
been sent out to oppose and delay his advance, to gain time to 
fortify the line taken up at Spottsylvania. This force was steadily 
driven back on the main force, within the recently constructed 
works, after considerable. fighting, resulting in severe loss to both 
sides. On the morning of the 9th, General Sheridan started on a 
raid against the enemy's lines of communication with Kichmond. 
The 9th, 10th, and 11th were spent in manoeuvring and fighting, 
without decisive results. Among the killed on the 9th was that 
able and distinguished soldier Major-General John Sedgwick, 
commanding the Sixth Army Corps. Major-General H. G. "Wright 
succeeded him in command. Early on the morning of the 12th, a 
general attack was made on the enemy in position. The Second 
Corps, Major-General Hancock commanding, carried a salient of 
his line, capturing most of Johnston's division of Ewell's Corps 
and twenty pieces of artillery. But the resistance was so ob- 
stinate that the advantage gained did not prove decisive. The 
13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, lYth, and 18th were consumed in ma- 
noeuvring and awaiting the arrival of reenforcements from 
Washington. Deeming it impracticable to make any further 
attack upon the enemy at Spottsylvania Com't-House, orders were 
issued on the 18th with a view to a movement to the North Anna, 
to commence at 12 o'clock on the night of the 19th. Late in the 
afternoon of the 19th Ewell's Corps came out of its works on our 
extreme right flank ; but the attack was promptly repulsed, with 
heavy loss. This delayed the movement to the North Anna until 
the night of the 21st, when it was commenced. But the enemy 
again having the shorter line, and being in possession of the main 
roads, was enabled to reach the North Anna in advance of us, and 
took position behind it. The Fifth Corps reached the North Anna on 
the afternoon of the 23d, closely followed by the Sixth Corps. The 
Second and Ninth Corps got up about the same time, the Second 
holding the raih'oad bridge and the Ninth lying between that and 
Jericho ford. General Warren effected a crossing the same afternoon, 
and got a position without much opposition. Soon after getting into 



14 EEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-G-ENEEAL TT. S. GEA2ST. 

position he was violently attacked, but repulsed the enemy vsdth 
great slaughter. On the 25th General Sheridan rejoined the Ai-my 
of the Potomac from the raid on which he started from Spottsyl vania, 
having destroyed the depots at Beaver Dam and Ashland Stations, 
four trains of cars, large supplies of rations, and many miles of rail- 
road, track ; recaptured about four hundred of our men on their 
way to Richmond as prisoners of war ; met and defeated the ene- 
my's cavalry at Yellow Tavern ; carried the first line of works 
around Richmond (but finding the second line top strong to be 
carried by assault) recrossed to the north bank of the Chickahominy 
at Meadow's Bridge, under heavy fire, and moved by a detour to 
Haxall's landing, on the James River, where he communicated with 
General Butler. This raid had the efiect of drawing off the whole 
of the enemy's cavalry force, and making it comparatively easy to 
guard our trains. 

General Butler moved his main force up the James River, in 
pursuance of instructions, on the 4th of May, General Gillmore 
having joined with the Tenth Corps. At the same time he sent a'^ 
force of 1,800 cavalry, by way of West Point, to form a junction 
with him wherever he might get a foothold, and a force of 3,000 
cavalry, under General Kautz, from Suffolk, to operate against 
the road south of Petersburg and Richmond. On the 5th he oc- 
cupied, without opposition, both City Point and Bermuda Hundred, 
his movement being a complete surprise. Cn the 6th he was in po- 
sition with his main army, and commenced intrenching. On the 
Tth he made a reconnoissance against the Petersburg and Richmond . 
Railroad, destroying a portion of it after some fighting. On the 9th 
he telegraphed as follows : 

" Headquarters near Bermuda Landing, May 9, 1864. 

" Our operations may be summed up in a few words. With 1,700 
cavalry we have advanced up the Peninsula, forced the Chickahominy, and 
have safely brought them to our present position. These were colored 
cavalry, and are now holding our advance pickets toward Eichmond. 

" General Kautz, with 3,000 cavalry from Suffolk, on the same day 
with our movement uj) James Eiver, forced the Blackwater, burned the 
railroad bridge at Stony Creek, below Petersburg, cutting in two Beaure- 
gard's force at that point. 

" We have landed here, intrenched ourselves, destroyed many miles of 
railroad, and got a position which, with proper supplies, we can hold out 
agamst the whole of Lee's army. I have ordered up the supphes. 



EEPOKT OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL T. S. GEANT. 15 

" Beauregard, with a large portion of his force, was left South by the 
cutting of the railroads by Kautz. That portion which reached Peters- 
burg under Hill I have whipped to-day, killing and wounding many and 
taking many prisoners, after a severe and well-contested fight. 

" General Grant will not be troubled with any farther reenforcements 
to Lee from Beauregard's force. ^ 

" Benjamin F. Butler, Major-GeneraL 

" Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of "War." 

On the evening of the 13tli and morning of the 14th he carried 
a portion of the enemy's first line of defence at Drury's JBluff, or 
Fort Darling, with small loss. The time thus consumed from the 
6th lost to us the benefit of the surprise and capture of Richmond 
and Petersburg, enabling, as it did, Beauregard to collect his loose 
forces in l^orth and South Carolina and bring them to the defence 
of those places. On the 16th the enemy attacked General Butler in 
his position in front of Drury's Blufi". He was forced back, or drew 
back, into his intrenchments between the forks of the James and Ap- 
pomattox Eivers, the enemy intrenching strongly in his front, thus 
covering his railroads, the city, and all that was valuable to him. 
His army, therefore, though in a position of great security, was as 
completely shut off from further operations directly against Eich- 
mond as if it had been in a bottle strongly corked. It required but 
^a comparatively small force of the enemy to hold it there. 

On the 12th General Kautz with his cavalry was started on a 
raid against the Danville Railroad, which he struck at Coalfield, 
Powhatan, and Chola Stations, destroying them,' the railroad track, 
two freight trains, and one locomotive, together with large quan- 
tities of commissary and other stores ; thence crossing to the South 
Side road, struck it at Wilson's, Wells vi He, and Black and White 
Stations, destroying the road and Station-houses ; thence he proceeded 
to City Point, which he reached on the 18th. 

On the 19th of April, and prior to the movement of General 
Butler, the enemy with a land force under General Hoke and an 
iron-clad ram, attacked Plymouth, N. C, commanded by General 
H.W. Wessels, and our gunboats there, and after severe fighting the 
place was carried by assault and the entire garrison and armament 
captured. The gunboat Smithfield was sunk and the Miami dis- 
abled. 

The army sent to operate against Richmond having hermeti- 
cally sealed itself up at Bermuda Hundred, the enemy was enabled 



16 EEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GEKEEAL U. S. GKAliTT. 

to bring the most if not all the reenforeements brought from the 
South by Beauregard against the Army of the Potomac. In addi- 
tion to this reenforcement, a very considerable one, probably not 
less than 15,000 men, was obtained by calling in the scattered troops 
under BrecMnridge from the western part of Virginia. 

Tlie position at Bermuda Hundred was as easy to defend as it 
was difficult to operate from against the enemy. I determined, 
therefore, to bring from it all available forces, leaving enough only 
to secure what had been gained ; and accordingly, on the 22d, I 
directed that they be sent forward, under command of Major-Gen- 
eral W. F. Smith, to join the Army of the Potomac. 

On the 24:th of May the Ninth Army Corps, commanded by 
Major-General A. E. Burnside, was assigned to the Army of the 
Potomac, and from this time forward constituted a portion of Major- 
General Meade's command. 

Finding the enemy's position on the North Anna stronger than 
either of his previous ones, I withdrew on the night of the 26th to 
the north bank of the North Anna, and moved via Hanovertown 
to turn the enemy's position by his right. 

Generals Torbert and Merritt's divisions of cavalry, under 
Sheridan, and the Sixth Corps led the advance ; crossed the Pa- 
munkey River at Hanovertown after considerable fighting, and on 
the 28t]i the two divisions of cavalry had a severe but successful 
engagement with t^e enemy at Haw's shop. On the 29th and 
30th we advanced, with heavy sku'mishing, to the Hanover Court- 
House and Cold Harbor road, and developed the enemy's position 
north of the Chickahominy. Late on the evening of the last day 
the enemy came out and attacked our left, but was repulsed with 
very considerable loss. An attack was immediately ordered by 
General Meade along his whole line, which resulted in driving the 
enemy from a part of his intrenched skirmish line. 

On the 31st General Wilson's division of cavalry destroyed the 
railroad bridges over the South Anna River, after defeating the 
enemy's cavalry. General Sheridan, on the same day, reached 
Cold Harbor, and held it until relieved by the Sixth Corps and 
General Smith's command, which had just arrived, via White 
House, from General Butler's army. 

On the 1st day of June an attack was made at 5 p. m., by the 
Sixth Corps and the troops under General Smith, the other corps 
being held in readiness to advance on the receipt of orders. This 



EEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT. 17 

resulted in our carrying and holding tlie enemy's first line of works 
in front of the right of the Sixth Corps and in front of General 
Smith. During the attack the enemy made repeated assaults on 
each of the corps not engaged in the main attack, but were re- 
pulsed with heavy loss in every instance. That night he made 
several assaults to regain what he had lost in tlie day, but failed. 
The 2d was spent in getting troops into position for an attack on 
the 3d. On the 3d of June we again assaulted the enemy's works, 
in the hope of driving him from his position. In this attempt our 
loss was heavy, while that of the enemy, I have reason to believe, 
was comparatively light. It was the only general attack made 
from the Eapidan to the James which did not inflict upon the 
enemy losses to compensate for our own losses. I would not be 
understood as saying that all previous attacks resulted in victories 
to our arms, or accomplished as much as I had hoped from them ; 
but they inflicted upon the enemy severe losses,' which tended, in 
the end, to the complete overthrow of the rebellion. 

From the proximity of the enemy to his defences around Eich 
mond, it was impossible by any flank movement to interpose be 
tween him and the city. I was still in a condition to either move 
by his left flank and invest Richmond from the north side, or con- 
tinue my move by his right flank to the south side of the James. 
While the former might have been better as a covering for Wash- 
ington, yet a full survey of all the ground satisfied me that it 
would be impracticable to hold a line north and east of Eichmond 
that would protect the Fredericksburg Railroad — a long, vulnerable 
line, which would exhaust much of our strength to guard, and that 
would have to be protected to supply the army, and would leave 
open to the enemy all his lines of communication on the south 
side of the James. My idea, from the start, had beeii to beat Lee's 
army north of Richmond if possible. Then, after destroying his 
lines of communication north of the James River, to transfer the 
army to the south side and besiege Lee in Richmond, or follow 
him south if he should retreat. After the battle of the "Wilderness 
it was evideift that the enemy deemed it of the first importance to 
run no risks with the army he then had. He acted purely on the 
defensive behind breastworks, or feebly on the offensive immedi- 
ately in front of them, and where, in case of repulse, he could 
easily retire behind them. Without a greater sacrifice of life than 
I was willing to make, all could not be accomplished that I had 
2- 



18 KEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL U. S. GRANT. 

designed north of Riclimond ; I therefore determmed to continue 
to liold substantially the ground we then occupied, taking advan- 
tage of any favorable circumstances that might present themselves, 
until tlie cavalry could be sent to Charlottesville and Gordonsville 
to effectually break up the railroad connection between Richmond 
and the Shenandoah Valley and Lynchburg ; and, when the cav- 
alry got well off, to move the army to the south side of the James 
Hiver, by the enemy's right flank, where I felt I could cut off all 
his sources of supply except by the canal. 

On the Yth, two divisions of cavalry, under General Sheridan, 
got ofi' on the expedition against the Yirginia Central Eaih'oad, 
with instructions to Hunter, whom I hoped he would meet near 
Charlottesville, to join his forces to Sheridan's, and after the work 
laid out for them was thoroughly done, to join the Army of the 
Potomac by the route laid down in Sheridan's instructions. 

On the 10th of June, General Butler sent a force of infantry 
under General Gillmore, and cavalry under General Kautz, to 
capture Petersburg if possible, and destroy the railroad and com- 
mon bridges across the Appomattox. The cavalry carried the 
works on the south side, and penetrated w^ell toward the town, 
but were forced to retire. General Gillmore finding the works 
which he approached very strong, and deeming an assault imprac- 
ticable, returned to Bermuda Hundred without attempting one. 

Attaching great importance to the possession of Petersburg, I 
sent back to Bermuda Hundred and City Point General Smith's 
command by water, via the "White House, to reach there in ad- 
vance of the Army of the Potomac. This was for the express pur- 
pose of secm'ing Petersburg before the enemy, becoming aware of 
our intention, could reenforce the place." 

The movement from Cold Harbor commenced after dark on the 
evening of the 12tli ; one division of cavalry, under General Wil- 
son, and the Fifth Corps crossed the Chick ahominy at Long Bridge, 
and moved out to White-Oak Swamp, to cover the crossings of the 
other corps. The advance corps reached James River, at Wil- 
cox's Landing and Charles City Court-House, on tbe night of the 
13th. 

During three long years the Armies of the Potomac and North- 
ern Yirginia had been confronting each other. In that time they had 
fought more desperate battles than it probably ever before fell to 
the lot of two armies to fight, without materially changing the van- 



KBPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U. S. GKANT 19 

tage ground of either. The Southern press and people, witli more 
shrewdness than was disphiyed in the North, "finding tliat thej had 
failed to capture Washington and march on to New York, as they 
had boasted they would do, assumed that they only defended their 
capital and Southern territory. Hence, Antietatn, Gettysburg, and 
all the other battles that had been fought, were by them set down 
as failures on our part, and victories for them. . Their army believed 
this. It produced a morale which could only be overcome by 
desperate and continuous hard fighting. The battles of the Wil- 
derness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, and Cold Harbor, bloody and 
terrible as they were on our side, were even more damaging to the 
enemy, and so crippled him as to make him wary ever after of tak- 
ing the offensive. His losses in men were probably not so great, 
owing to the fact that we were, save in the Wilderness, almost in- 
variably the attacking party ; and when he did attack it was in 
the open field. The details of these battles, w^hicli for endurance 
and bravery on the part of the soldiery have rarely been surpassed, 
are given in the report of Major-General Meade, and the subordi- 
nate reports accompanying it. 

During the campaign of forty-three days, from the Rapidan to 
the James River, the army had to be supplied from an ever-shifting 
base, by wagons, over narrow roads, through a densely-wooded 
country, with a lack of wharves at each new base from which to 
conveniently discharge vessels. Too much credit cannot therefore 
be awarded to the quartermaster and commissary departments for 
the zeal and efficiency displayed by them. Under the general su- 
pervision of the chief quartermaster, Brigadier-General R. Ingalls, 
the trains were made to occupy all the available roads between the 
army and our water base, and but little difficulty was experienced 
in protecting them. 

The movement in the Kanawha and Shenandoah Yalleys, under 
General Sigel, commenced on the first of May. General Crook, 
who had the immediate command of the Kanawha expedition, di- 
vided his forces into two columns, giving one, composed of cavalry, 
to General Averill. They crossed the mountains by separate routes. 
Averill struck the Tennessee and Virginia Railroad, near Wythe- 
ville, on the lOtli, and proceeding to New River and Christians- 
burg, destroyed the road, several important bridges and depots, in- 
cluding New River Bridge, forming a junction with Crook at 
Union on the 15th. General Sigel moved up the Shenandoah Yal- 



20 EEPOET OF LIEUTEJSTANT-GENEKAL U. S. GEANT. 

ley, met the enemy at 'New Market on the 15tli, and, after a severe 
engagement, was defeated with heavy loss, and retired behind Ce- 
dar Creek. Not regarding the operations of General Sigel as satis- 
factory, I asked his removal from command, and Major-General 
Hunter was appointed to supersede him. His instructions were 
embraced in the following despatches to Major-General H. W. Hal 
leek, chief of staif of the army : 

"Near Spottstltania Court-House, Va., May 20, 1864. 
******** 
" The enemy are evidently relying for supplies greatly on such as are 
brought over the branch road running through Staunton. On the whole, 
therefore, I think it would be better for General Hunter to move in that 
direction ; reach Staunton and Gordonsville or Charlottesville, if he does 
not meet too much ojoposition. If he can hold at bay a force equal to his 
own, he will be doing good service. * * * 

" U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 
" Major-General H. W. Halleck." 

"Jf-iciio Ford, Va., May 25, 1864. 

" If Hunter can possibly get to Charlottesville and Lynchburg, he 
should do so, living on the country. The railroads and canal should be 
destroyed beyond possibility of repairs for weeks. Completing this, he 
could find his way back to his original base, or from about Gordonsville 
join this army. U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

" Major-General H. W. Halleck." 

General Hunter immediately took up the offensive, and moving 
up the Shenandoah T'alley, met the enemy on the 5th of June at 
Piedmont, and after a battle of ten hours routed and defeated him, 
capturing on the field of battle 1,500 men, 3 pieces of artillery, 
and 300 stand of small-arms. On the 8th of the same month he 
formed a junction with Crook and Averill at Staunton, from which 
place he moved direct on Lynchburg, via Lexington, which place 
he reached and invested on the 16th day of June. Up to this 
time he was very successful, and but for the difficulty of taking 
with him sufficient ordnance stores over so long a march, through 
a hostile country, he would no doubt have captured that,, to the 
enemy an important point. The destruction of the enemy's sup- 
plies and manufactories was very great. To meet this movement 
under General Hunter, General Lee sent a force, perhaps equal to 
a corps, a part of which reached Lynchburg a short time before 



KEPOET OF LIEUTENAJSTT-GENEEAL U. S. GKANT. 21 

Hunter. After some skirmishing on the ITtli and IStli, General 
Hunter, owing to a want of ammunition to give battle, retired from 
before the place. Unfortunately, this want of ammunition left him 
no choice of route for his return but by way of Kanawha. This 
lost to us the use of his troops for several weeks from the defence 
of the ITorth. 

Had General Hunter moved by way of Charlottesville, instead 
of Lexington, as his instructions contemplated, he would have been 
in a position to have covered the Shenandoah Yalley against the 
enemy, should the force he met have seemed to endanger it. If it 
did not, he would have been within easy distance of the James 
River Canal, on the main line of communication between Lynch- 
burg and the force sent for its defence. I have never taken ex- 
ception to the opei'ations of General Hunter, and am not now 
disposed to find fault with him, for I have no doubt he acted within 
what he conceived to be the spirit of his instructions and the 
interests of the service. The promptitude of his movements and 
his gallantry should entitle him to the commendation of his 
country. 

To return to the Army of the Potomac : The Second Corps 
commenced crossing the James Eiver on the morning of the 14:th 
by ferry-boats at Wilcox's Landing. The laying of the pontoon 
bridge was completed about midniglit of the 14th, and the crossing 
of the balance of the army was rapidly pushed forward by both 
bridge and ferry. 

After the crossing had commenced, I proceeded by steamer to 
Bermuda Himdred to give the necessary orders for the immediate 
capture of Petersburg. 

The instructions to General Butler were verbal, and were for 
him to send General Smith immediately, that night, with all the 
troops he could give him without sacrificing the position he then 
held. I told him that I would return at once to the Army of the 
Potomac, hasten its crossing, and throw it forward to Petersburg 
by divisions as rapidly as it could be done ; that w^e could reen- 
fore our armies more rapidly there than the enemy could bring 
troops against us. General Smith got off as directed, and con- 
fronted the enemy's pickets near Petersburg before daylight next 
morning, but for some reason, that I have never been able to satis- 
factorily understand, did not get ready to assault his main lines 
until near sundown. Then, with a part of his command only, he 



22 EEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL U. S. GRANT. 

made tlie assault, and carried the lines northeast of Petersbui'g 
from the Appomattox River, for a distance of over two and a half 
miles, capturing fifteen pieces of artillery and three hundred prison- 
ers. This was about 7 p. m. Between the line thus captured and 
Petersburg there were no other works, and there was no evidence 
that the enemy had reenforced Petersburg with a single brigade 
from any source. The night was clear — the moon shining brightly 
— and favorable to further operations. General Hancock, with two 
divisions of the Second Corps, reached General Smith just after 
dark, and offered the service of these troops as he (Smith) might 
wish, waiving rank to the named commander, whom he naturally 
supposed knew best the position of aifairs, and what to do with the 
troops. But instead of taking these troops, and pushing at once 
into Petersburg, he requested General Hancock to relieve a part 
of his line in the captured works, which was- done before mid- 
night. 

By the time I arrived the next morning the enemy was in 
force. An attack was ordered to be made at 6 o'clock that even- 
ing by the troops under Smith and the Second and Ninth Corps. 
It required until that time for the Ninth Corps to get up and into 
position. The attack was made as ordered, and the fighting con- 
tinued with' but little intermission until 6 o'clock the next morn- 
ing, and resulted in our carrying the advance and some of the 
main works of the enemy to the right (our left) of those previously 
captured b}^ General Smith, several pieces of artillery, and over 
four hundred prisoners. 

The Fifth Corps having got up, the attacks were renewed and 
persisted in with great vigor on the ITth and 18th, but only result- 
ed in forcing the enemy to an interior line, from which he could 
not be dislodged. The advantages in position gained by us were 
very great. The army then proceeded to envelop Petersburg 
toward the Southside Railroad, as far as possible without attacking 
fortifications. 

On the 6th the enemy, to reenforce Petersburg, withdrew, 
from a part of his intrenchment in front of Bermuda Hundred, 
expecting, no doubt, to get troops from north of the James to take 
the place of those withdrawn before we could discover it. General 
Butler, taking the advantage of this, at once moved a force 
on the railroad between Petersburg and Richmond. As soon as 1 
was apprised of the advantage thus gained, to retain it I ordered 



EEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL U. S. GEANT. 23 

two divisions of tlie Sixth Corps, General Wright commanding, 
that were embarking at Wilcox's Landing, nnder orders for City 
Point, to report to General Butler, at Bermuda Hundred, of which 
General Butler was notified, and the importance of holding a posi- 
tion in advance of his present line urged upon him. 

About 2 o'clock in the afternoon General Butler was forced 
back to the line the enemy had withdra^vn from in the morning. 
General Wright, with his two divisions, joined General Butler on 
the forenoon of the lYth, the latter still holding with a strong 
picket line the enemy's works. But instead of putting these divi- 
sions into the enemy's works to hold them, he permitted them to 
halt and rest some distance in the rear of his own line. Between 
4 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon the enemy attacked and drove in 
his pickets and reoccupied his old line. 

On the night of the 20th and moj-ning of the 21st a lodgment 
was efiected by General Butler, with one brigade of infantry, on 
the north bank of the James, at Deep Bottom, and connected the 
pontoon bridge with Bermuda Hundred. 

On the 19th, General Sheridan, on his return from his expedi- 
tion against the Virginia Central Railroad, arrived at the White 
House just as the enemy's cavalry was about to attack it, and com- 
pelled it to retire. The result of this expedition was that General 
Sheridan met the enemy's cavalry near Trevillian Station, on the 
morning of the 11th of June, whom he attacked, and after an ob- 
stinate contest drove from t*he field in complete rout. He left his 
dead and nearly all his wounded in our hands, and about four 
hundred prisoners and several hundred horses. On the 12th he 
destroyed the railroad from Trevillian Station to Louisa Court- 
House. This occupied until 3 o'clock p. m., when he advanced in 
the direction of Gordonsville. He found the enemy reenforced by 
infantry, behind well-constructed rifle-pits, about five 'miles from 
the latter place, and too strong to successfully assault. On the ex- 
treme right, however, his reserve brigade carried the enemy's works 
twice, and was twice driven therefrom by infantry. Night closed 
the contest. Not having sufficient ammunition to continue the en- 
gagement, and his animals being without forage (the country 
furnishing but inferior grazing), and hearing nothing from General 
Hunter, he withdrew his command to the north side of the ISTorth 
Anna, and commenced his return march, reaching White House 
at the time before stated. After breaking up the depot at that 



24 KEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT. 

place lie moved to the James Eiver, whicli he reached safely after 
heavy fighting. He commenced crossing on the 25th, near Fort 
Powhatan, without further molestation, and rejoined the Army 
of the Potomac. 

On the 22d, General Wilson, with his own division of cavalry 
of the Army of the Potomac, and General Kautz's division of 
cavalry of the Army of the James, moved against the enemy's 
railroads south of Richmond. Striking the Weldon Railroad at 
Ream's Station^ destroying the depot and several miles of the road 
and the Southside road about fifteen miles from Petersburg, to 
near Kottoway Station, where he met and defeated a force of the 
enemy's cavalry, he reached Burkesville Station on the afternoon of 
the 23d, and from there destroyed the Danville Railroad to 
Roanoke bridge, a distance of twenty-five miles, where he found 
the enemy in force, and in a position from which he could not dis- 
lodge him. He then commenced his return march, and on the 
28th met the enemy's cavalry in force at the "Weldon Railroad 
crossing of Stony Creek, where he had a severe but not decisive 
engagement. Thence he made a detour from his left, with a view 
of reaching Ream's Station (supposing it to be in our possession). 
At this place he was met by the enemy's cavalry, supported by 
infantry, and forced to retire, with the loss of his artillery and 
trains. In this last encounter. General Kautz, with a part of his 
command, became separated, and made his way into our lines. 
General Wilson, with the remainder ' of his force, succeeded in 
crossing the ISTottoway River and coming in safely on our left and 
rear. The damage to the enemy in this expedition more than 
compensated for the losses we sustained. It severed all connection 
by railroad with Richmond for several weeks. 

With a view of cutting the enemy's railroad from near Rich- 
mond to the Anna Rivers and making him wary of the situation 
of his army in the Shenandoah, and, in the event of failure in this, 
to take advantage of his necessary withdrawal of troops from 
Petersburg, to explode a mine that had been prepared in front of. 
the Ninth Corps and assault the enemy's lines at that place, on the 
night of the 26th of July the Second Corps and two divisions of the 
Cavalry corps and Kautz's cavalry were crossed to the north 
bank of the James River and joined the force General Butler had 
there. On the 2Tth the enemy was driven from his intrenched 
position, with the loss of four pieces of artillery. On the 28th 



REPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEKAL F. S. GKAJTT. 25 

our lines were extended from Deep Bottom to Isew Market road, 
but in getting tliis position were attacked by tbe enemy in heavy 
force. Tlie fighting lasted for several hours, resulting in consider- 
able loss on both sides. The first object of this move having 
failed, by reason of the very large force thrown there by the enemy, 
I determined to take advantage of the diversion made by assault- 
ing Petersburg before he could get his force back there. One 
division of the Second Corps was withdrawn on the night of the 
2Sth, and moved during the night to the rear of the Eighteenth 
Corps, to relieve that corps in the line, that it might be foot loose 
in the assault to be made. The other two divisions of the Second 
Corps and Sheridan's cavalry were crossed over on the night of 
the 29th and moved in front of Petersburg. On the morning of 
the 30th, between four and five o'clock, the mine was sprung, blow- 
ing up a battery and most of a regiment, and the advance of the 
assaulting column, formed of the ISTinth Corps, immediately took 
possession of the crater made by the explosion, and the line for 
some distance to the right and left of it, and a detached line in 
front of it, but for some cause failed to advance promptly to the 
ridge beyond. Had they done this, I have every reason to believe 
that Petersburg would have fallen. Other troops were immediately 
pushed forward, but the time consumed in getting them up enabled 
the enemy to rally from his surprise (which had been complete), and 
get forces to this point for its defence. The captured line thus held 
being untenable, and of no advantage to us, the troops were with- 
drawn, but not without heavy loss. Thus terminated in disaster 
what promised to be the most successfal assault of the campaign. 

Immediately upon the enemy's ascertaining that General Hunter 
was retreating from Lynchburg by way of the Kanawha River, 
thus laying the Shenandoah Yalley open for raids into Maryland 
and Pennsylvania, he returned northward and moved down that 
valley. As soon as tliis movement of the enemy was ascertained. 
General Hunter, who had reached the Kanawha River, was directed 
to move his troops without delay, by river and railroad, to Harper's 
Ferry ; but owing to the difiiculty of navigation by reason of low 
water and breaks in the railroad, great delay was experienced in get- 
ting there. It became necessary, therefore, to find other troops to 
check this movement of the enemy. For this purpose the Sixth 
Corps was taken fi-om the armies operating against Richmond, to 
which was added the JSTineteenth Corps, then fortunately beginning 



26 EEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL U. 8. GEAISTT. 

to arrive in Hampton Roads from the Gulf Department, under or- 
ders issued immediately after the ascertainment of the result of the 
E,ed River expedition. The garrisons of Baltimore and Washing- 
ton were at this time made up of heavy artillery regiments, hun- 
dred-days' men, and detachments from the invalid corps. One 
division under command of General Richetts, of the Sixth Corps, 
was sent to Baltimore, and the remaining two divisions of the Sixth 
Corps, under General Wright, were subsequently sent to Washing- 
ton. On the 3d of July the enemy approached Martinsburg ; Gen- 
eral Sigel, who was in command of our forces there, retreated 
across the Potomac at Shephardstown ; and General Weber, com- 
manding at Harper's Ferry, crossed the river, and occupied Mary- 
land Heights. On the 6th the enemy occupied Hagerstown, mov- 
ing a strong column toward Frederick City. General Wallace 
with Ricketts' division and his own command, the latter mostly 
new and undisciplined troops, pushed out from Baltimore with 
great promptness, and met the enemy in force on the Monocacy, 
near the crossing of the railroad bridge. His force was not suffi- 
cient to insure success, but he fought the enemy nevertheless, and 
although it resulted in a defeat to our arms, yet it detained the 
enemy and thereby served to enable General Wright to reach 
Washington w^ith two divisions of the Sixth Corps, and the ad- 
vance of the Nineteenth Corps, before him. From Monocacy the 
enemy moved on Washington, his cavalry advance reaching Rock- 
ville on the evening of the 10th. On the 12th a reconnoissance 
was thrown out in front of Fort Stevens, to ascertain the enemy's 
position and force. A severe skirmish ensued, in which we lost 
' about 280 in killed and wounded. The enemy's loss was probably 
greater. He commenced retreating during the- niglit. Learning 
the" exact condition of alFairs at Washington, I requested by tele- 
graph at 11.45 p. M. on the 12th the assignment of Major-General 
H. G. Wright to the command of all the troops that could be made 
available to operate in the-field against the enemy, and directed 
that he should get outside of the trenches with all the force he 
could, and push Early to the last moment. General Wright com- 
menced the pursuit on the 13th ; on the 18th the enemy was over- 
taken at Snicker's Ferry, on the Shenandoah, when a sharp skir- 
mish occurred ; and on the 20th General Averill encountered and 
defeated a portion of the rebel army at Winchester, capturing four 
pieces of artillery and several hundred prisoners. 



EEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL U. S. GKANT. 27 

Learning that Early was retreating south toward Lynchburg 
or Eichmond, I directed that the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps 
be got back to the armies operating agkinst Eichmond, so that 
they might be used in a movement against Lee before the return 
of the troops sent by him into the valley ; and that Hunter should 
remain in the Shenandoah Yalley, keeping between any force of 
the enemy and Washington, acting on the defensive as much as 
possible. I felt that if the enemy had any notion of returning, tlie 
fact would be developed before the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps 
could lea^e Washington. Subsequently the Nineteenth Corps was 
excepted from the order to return to the James. 

About the 25th it became evident that the enemy was again 
advancing upon Maryland and Pennsylvania, and the Sixth Corps, 
then at Washington, was ordered back to the vicinity of Harper's 
Ferry. The rebel force moved down the valley, and sent a raiding 
party into Pennsylvania, which, on the 30th, burned Chambersburg 
and then retreated, pursued by our cavalry toward Cumberland. 
They were met and defeated by General Kelly, and with diminish- 
ed numbers escaped into the mountains of We&t Yirginia. From 
the time of the first raid the telegraph wires were frequently down 
between Washington and City Point, making it necessary to trans- 
mit messages a part of the way by boat. It took from twenty- 
four to thirty-six liours to get despatches through and return an- 
swers back ; so that often orders would be given, and then infor- 
mation would be received showing a different state of facts from 
those on which they were based, causing a confusion and apparent 
contradiction of orders that must have considerably embarrassed 
those who had to execute them, and rendered operations against 
the enemy less effective than they otherwise would have been. 
To remedy this evil, it was evident to my mind that some person 
should have the supreme command of all the forces in the Depart- 
ments of West Yirginia, Washington, Susquehanna, and the Mid- 
dle Department, and I so reeommanded. 

On the 2d of August I ordered General Sheridan to report in 
person to Major-General Halleck, chief of staff, at Wasliingtou, 
with ^ view to his assignment to the command of all the forces 
against Early. At this time the enemy was concentrated in the 
neighborhood of Winchester, while our forces, under General 
Hunter, were concentrated on the Monocacy, at the crossing of the 
Baltimore and Ohio Eailroad, leaving open to the enemy Western 



28 EEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL U. S. GEANT. 

Marj'land and Southern Pennsylvania. From where I was I hesi- 
tated to give positive orders for the movement of our forces at 
Monocacy, lest by so doing I should expose Washington. There- 
fore, on the 4tli I left City Point to visit Hunter's command, and 
determine for myself what was best to be done. On arrival there, 
and after consultation with General Hunter, I issued to him the 
following instructions : 

"MoNOCAcr Bridge, Md., August 5, 1864 — 8 p.m. 

" General : Concentrate all your available force without delay in the 
vicinity of Harper's FeiTy, leaving only such railroad guards and garrisons 
for public property as may be necessary. Use, in this concentrating, the 
railroads, if by so doing time can be saved. From Harper's Ferry, if it is 
found that the enemy has moved north of the Potomac in large force, 
push north, following him and attacting him wherever found ; follow him, 
if driven south of the Potomac, as long as it is safe to do so. If it is 
ascertained that the enemy has but a small force north of the Potomac, 
then push south with the main force, detaching under a competent com- 
mander a sufficient force to look after the raiders, and drive them to their 
homes. In detaching such a force, the brigade of cavalry now en route 
from Washington via Kockville may be taken into account. 

" There are now on their way to join you three other brigades of the 
best cavalry, numbering at least 5,000 men and horses. These will be 
instructed, in the absence of further orders, to join you by the south side 
of the Potomac. One brigade will probably start to-morrow. In pushing 
up the Shenandoah Valley, where it is expected you will have to go first 
or last, it is desirable that nothing should be left to invite the enemy to 
return. Take all provisions, forage, and stock wanted for the use of your 
command ; such as cannot be consumed, destroy. It is not desirable that 
the buildings should be destroyed — they should rather be protected ; but 
the people should be informed that, so long as an army can subsist among 
them, recurrences of these raids must be expected, and we are detemained 
to stop them at all hazards. 

" Bear in mind, the object is to drive the enemy south ; and to do 
this, you want to keep him always in sight. Be guided in your course by 
the course he takes. 

" Make your own arrangements for supplies of all kinds, giving regulai 
vouchers for such as may be taken from loyal citizens in the country 
through which you march. 

" U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-Gen eral. 

" Major-General D. Hunter." 

The troops were immediately put in motion, and the advance 
reached Hallton that nio-lit. 



KEPOET OF LIEUTENAISTT-GENEKAL TJ. S. GEAISTT. 29 

General Hunter having, in our conversation, expressed a will- 
ingness to be relieved from command, I telegraphed to have Gen- 
eral Sheridan, then at "Washington, sent to Harper's Ferry by the 
morning train, with orders to take general command of all the 
troops in the field, and to call on General Hunter at Monocacy, 
who would turn over to him my letter of instructions. I remained 
at Monocacy, until General Sheridan arrived, on the morning of 
the 6th, and, after a conference with him in relation to military 
affairs in tliat vicinity, I returned to City Point by way of Wash- 
ington. 

Qn the seventh of August the Middle Department and the De- 
partments of West Yirginia, Washington, and Susquehanna were 
constituted into the "Middle Military Division," and Major-Gen- 
eral Sheridan was assigned to temporary command of the same. 

Two divisions of cavalry, commanded by Generals Torbert and 
Wilson, were sent to Sheridan from the Army of the Potomac. 
The first reached him at Harper's Ferry about the eleventh of 
August. 

His operations during the month of August and the fore part 
of September were both of an ofiensive and defensive character, 
resulting in many severe skirmishes, principally by the cavalry, in 
which we were generally successful, but no general engagement 
took place. The two armies lay in such a position — the enemy on 
the west bank of the Opequan Creek covering Winchester, and 
our forces in front of Berrysville— that either could bring on a 
battle at any time. Defeat to us would lay open to the enemy the 
States of Maryland and Pennsylvania for long distances before 
another army could be interposed to check him. Under these cir- 
cumstances I hesitated about allowing the initiative to be taken. 
Finally, the use of the Baltimore and Ohio Raih'oad and the Ches- 
apeake and Ohio Canal, which were both obstructed by the 
enemy, became so indispensably necessary to us, and the import- 
ance of relieving Pennsylvania and Maryland from continuously 
threatened invasion was so great, that I determined the risk should 
be taken. But fearing to telegraph the order for an attack without 
knowing more than I did of General Sheridan's feelings as to what 
would be the probable result, I left City Point on the fifteenth of 
September to visit him at his headquarters, to decide, after con- 
ference with him, what should be done. I met him at Charleston, 
and he pointed out so distinctly how each army lay ; what he 



30 EEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL U. S. GRANT. 

could do the moment he was authorized, and expressed such con- 
fidence of success, that I saw there were but two words of instruc- 
tions necessary — Go in ! For the conveniences of forage, the 
teams for supplying the army were kept at Harper's Ferry. I 
asked him if he could get out his teams and supplies in time to 
make an attack on the ensuing Tuesday morning. His reply was, 
that he could before daylight on Monday. He was off promptly 
to time, and I may here add that the result was such that I have 
never since deemed it necessary to visit General Sheridan before 
giving him orders. 

Early on the morning of the 19th General Sheridan attacked 
General Early at the crossing at the Opequan Creek, and after a 
most sanguinary and bloody battle, lasting until 5 o'clock in the 
evening, defeated him with heavy loss, carrying his entire position 
from Opequan Creek to Winchester, capturing several thousand 
prisoners and five pieces of artillery. The enemy rallied and made 
a stand in a strong position at Fisher's Hill, where he was attacked 
and again defeated with heavy loss on the 20th. Sheridan pur- 
sued him with great energy through Harrisonburg. Staunton, and 
the gaps of the Blue Eidge* .After stripping the Upper Yalley of 
most of the supplies and provisions for the rebel army, he returned 
to Strasburg, and took position on the north side of Cedar Creek. 

Having received considerable reenforcements. General Early 
again returned to tlie Yalley, and, on the 9th of October, his cav- 
alry encountered ours near Strasburg, where the rebels were de- 
feated, with the loss of eleven pieces of artillery and 350 prisoners. 
On the night of the IStli the enemy crossed tlie mountains which 
separated the branches of the Shenandoah, forded the north fork, 
and early on the morning of the 19th, under cover of the darkness 
and the fog, surprised and turned our left flank, and captured the 
batteries which enfiladed our whole line. Our troops fell back 
with heavy loss and in much confusion, but were finally rallied 
between Middletown and Newtown. At this juncture General 
Sheridan, who was at Winchester when the battle connnenced, 
arrived on the field, arranged his lines just in time to repulse a 
heavy attack of the enemy, and immediately assuming the ofien- 
sive, he attacked in turn with great vigor. The enemy was de- 
feated witli great slaughter, and the loss of most of his artillery 
and trains and the trophies he had captured in the morning. The 
wreck of his army escaped during the night, and fled in the direc- 



KEPOKT OF LIEUTEKANT-GEISrEKAL II. S. GEAISTT. 31 

tion of Staunton and Lynchburg. Pursuit was made to Mount 
Jackson. Thus ended this, the enemy's last attempt to invade the 
North via the Shenandoah Valley. I was now enabled to return 
the Sixth Corps to the Army of the Potomac, and to send one 
division from Sheridan's army to the Army of the James, and 
another to Savannah, Georgia, to hold Sherman's new acquisitions 
on the sea-coast, and thus enable him to move without detaching 
from his force for that pui-pose. 

Reports from various sources led me to believe that the enemy 
had detached three divisious from Petersburg to reenforce Early 
in the Shenandoah Yalley. I tlierefore sent the Second Corps and 
Gregg's division of cavalry, of the Army of the Potomac, and a 
force of General Butler's army, on the night of the 13th of August, 
to threaten Richmond from the north side of the James, to prevent 
him from sending troops away, and, if possible, to draw back those 
sent. In this move we captured six pieces of artillery and several 
hundred prisoners, detained troops that were under marching 
orders, and ascertained that but one division (Kershaw's) of the 
three reputed detached, had gone. 

^lie enemy having withdrawn heavily from Petersburg to resist 
this movement, the Fifth Corps, General Warren commanding, 
was moved out on the 18th and took possession of the "Weldon 
Railroad. During the day he had considerable fighting. To re- 
gain possession of the road, the enemy made repeated and desper- 
ate assaults, but was each time repulsed with great loss. On the 
night of the 20th the troops on the north side of the James were 
withdrawn, and Hancock and Gregg returned to the front at 
Petersburg. On the 25th the Second Corps and Gregg's division 
of cavalry, while at Ream's Station destroying the railroad, were 
attacked, and after desperate fighting, a part of our line gave way, 
and five pieces of artillery fell into the hands of the enemy. 

By the 12tli of September a branch railroad was completed 
from the City Point and Petersburg Railroad to the Weldon Rail- 
road, enabling us to supply, without difficulty, in all weather, the 
army in front of Petersburg, 

The extension of our lines across the Weldon Railroad com- 
pelled the enemy to so extend his that it seemed he could have but 
few troops north of the James for the defence of Richmond. On 
the night of the 28th tlie Tenth Corps, Major-General Birney, and 
the Eighteenth Corps, Major-General Ord commanding, of Gen- 



32 EEPOKT OF LIEUTENANT-GENEKAL U. S. GKAISTT. 

eral Butler's army, were crossed to the north side of the James, 
and advanced on the morning of the 29th, carrying the very 
strong fortifications and intrenchments below Chapin's Farm, 
known as Fort Harrison, capturing fifteen pieces of artillery, and 
the ]^ew Market road and intrenchments. This success was fol- 
lowed up by a gallant assault upon Fort Gillmore, immediately in 
front of the Chapin Farm fortifications, in which we were repulsed 
with heavy loss. Ivautz's cavalry was pushed forward on the road 
to the right of this, supported by infantry, and reached the enemy's 
inner line, but was anable to get further. The position captured 
from the enemy was so threatening to Richmond that I determined 
to hold it. The enemy made several desperate attempts to dislodge 
us, all of which were unsuccessful, and for which he paid dearly. 
On the morning of the 30th General Meade sent out a reconnois- 
sance, with a view to attacking the enemy's line if it was found 
sufficiently weakened by withdrawal of troops to the north side. 
In this reconnoiesance we captured and held the enemy's works 
near Poplar Spring church. In the afternoon troops moving to 
get to the left of the point gained were attacked by the enemv in 
heavy force, and compelled to fall back until supported by the 
forces holding the captured works. Our cavalry under Gregg was 
also attacked, but repulsed the enemy with great loss. 

On the Yth of October the enemy attacked Kautz's cavalry 
north of the James, and drove it back with heavy loss in killed, 
wounded, and prisoners, and the loss of all the artillery — eight or 
nine pieces. This he followed up by an attack on our intrenched 
infantry line, but was repulsed with severe slaughter. On the 13th 
a reconnoissance was sent out by General Butler, with a view to 
drive the enemy from some new works he was constructing, which 
resulted in very heavy loss to us. 

On the 2Yth the Army of the Potomac, leaving only sufficient 
men to hold its fortified line, moved by the enemy's right flank. 
The Second Corps, followed by two divisions of the Fifth Corps, 
with the cavalry in advance and covering our left flank, forced a 
passage of Hatcher's Pun, and moved up the south side of it 
toward the South Side Pailroad, until the Second Corps and part 
of the cavalry reached the Boydton plank road where it crosses 
Hatcher's Pun. At this point we were six miles distant from the 
South Side Pailroad, which I had hoped by this movement to reach 
and hold. But findino; that we had not reached the end of tlic 



EEPOKT OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL TI. S. GEANT. 33 

enemy's fortifications, and no j^lace presenting itself for a successful 
- assault by which he might be doubled up and shortened, I deter- 
mined to withdraw to within our fortified line. Orders were given 
accordingly. Immediately upon receiving a report that General 
"Warren had connected with General Hancock, I returned to my 
headquarters. Soon after I left, the enemy moved out across 
Hatcher's Run, in the gap between Generals Hancock and Warren, 
which was not closed as reported, and made a desperate attack on 
General Hancock's right and rear. General Hancock immediately 
faced bis corps to meet it, and after a bloody combat drove the 
enemy within his works, and withdrew that night to his old 
position. 

In suj)port of this movement General Butler made a demon- 
stration on tlie north side of the James, and attacked the enemy 
on the Williamsburg road, and also on the York River Railroad. 
In the former he was unsuccessful ; in the latter he succeeded in 
carrying a work which was afterwards abandoned, and his forces 
withdrawn to their former positions. 

From this time forward the operations in front of Petersburg 
and Richmond, until the spring campaign of 1865, were confined 
to the defence and extension of our lines, and to ofieusive move- 
ments for crippling the enemy's lines of communication, and to 
prevent his detaching any considerable force to send south. By 
the Tth of February our lines were extended to Hatcher's Run, and 
tbe Weldon Railroad had been destroyed to Hicksford. 

General Sherman moved from Chattanooga on the 6th of May, 
with the Armies of the Cumberland, Tennessee, and Ohio, com- 
manded, respectively, by Generals Thomas, McPherson, and Scho- 
field, upon Johnston's army at Dalton ; but finding the enemy's 
positions at Buzzard Roost, covering Dalton, too strong to be 
assaulted. General McPherson was sent through Snake Gap to 
turn it, whilst Generals Thomas and Schofield threatened it in 
front and on the north. This movement was successful. John- 
ston, finding his retreat likely to be cut ofi", fell back to his fortified 
position at Resaca, where he was attacked on the afternoon of May 
15th. A heavy battle ensued. During the night the enemy re- 
treated south. Late on the 17th his rear guard was overtaken 
near Adairsville, and heavy skirmishing followed. The next morn- 
ing, however, he had again disappeared. He was vigorously pur- 
sued and was overtaken at Cassville on the 19th, but during the 
3 



34: BEPOET OF LIEUTENAJS^T-GENEEAL U. S. GEANT. 

ensuing night retreated across the Etowah- "Whilst these opera- 
tions were going on, General Jefferson C. Davis's division of 
Thomas's army was sent to "Rome, capturing it with its forts and 
artillery, and its valuable mills and foundries. General Sherman, 
having given his army a few days' rest at this point, again put it 
in motion on the 23d for Dallas, with a view of turning the diffi- 
cult pass at Allatoona. On the afternoon of the 25th the advance 
under General Hooker had a severe battle wifh the enemy, driving 
him back to 'New Hope Church, near Dallas. Several sharp en- 
counters occurred at this point. The most important was on the 
28th, when the enemy assaulted General McPherson at Dallas, but 
received a terrible ajid bloody repulse. 

On the 4th of June Johnston abandoned his intrenched position 
at ISTew Hope Church, and retreated to the strong positions of 
Kenesaw, Pine, and Lost Mountains. He was forced to yield the 
two last-named places and concentrate his army on Kenesaw, where, 
on the 27th, Generals Thomas and McPherson made a determined 
but unsuccessful assault. On the night of the 2d of July Sherman 
commenced moving his army by the right flank, and on the morn- 
ing of the 3d found that the enemy, in consequence of this move- 
ment, had abandoned Kenesaw and retreated across the Chatta- 
hoochee. 

General Sherman remained on the Chattahoochee to give his 
men rest and get up stores until the lYth of July, when he resumed 
his operations, crossed the Chattahoochee, destroyed a large portion 
of the railroad to Augusta, and drove the enemy back to Atlanta. 
At this place General Hood succeeded General Johnston in com- 
mand of the rebel army, and, assuming the offensive-defensive 
policy, made several severe attacks upon Sherman in the vicinity 
of Atlanta, the most desperate and determined of which was on 
the 22d of July. About 1 p.m. of this day the brave, accom- 
plished, and noble-hearted McPherson was killed. General Logan 
succeeded him, and commanded the Army of the Tennessee through 
this desperate battle, and until he was superseded by Major-Gen- 
eral Howard, on the 26th, with the same success and ability that 
had characterized him in the command of a corps or division. 

In all these attacks the enemy was repulsed with great loss. 
Finding it impossible to entirely invest the place, General Sherman, 
after securing his line of communications across the Chattahoochee, 
moved his main force round by the enemy's left flank upon the 



KEPOKT OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL TJ. S. GRANT. 35 

Montgomery and Macon roads, to draw the enemy from liis forti- 
fications. In this he succeeded, and, after defeating the enemy 
near Rough and Ready, Jonesboro', and Lovejoy's, forcing him to 
retreat to the south, on the 2d of September occupied Atlanta, the 
objective point of his campaign. 

About the time of this move, the rebel cavalry, under Wheeler, 
attempted' to cut his communications. in the rear, but was repulsed 
at Dalton, and driven into East Tennessee, whence it proceeded 
west to McMinnville, Murfreesboro', and Franklin, and was finally 
driven south of the Tennessee, The damage done by this raid was 
repaired in a few days. 

During the partial investment of Atlanta, General Rousseau 
joined General Sherman with a force of cavalry from Decatur, 
having made a successful raid upon the Atlanta and Montgomery 
Railroad, and its branches near Opelika. Cavalry raids were also 
made by Generals McCook, Garrard, and Stoneman to cut the re- 
maining railroad communication with Atlanta. The first two 
were successful — the latter disastrous. 

General Sherman's movement from Chattanooga to Atlanta 
was prompt, skilful, and brilliant. The history of his flank move- 
ments and battles during that memorable campaign will ever be 
read with an interest unsurpassed by any thing in history. 

His own report, and those of his subordinate commanders ac- 
companying it, give the details of that most successful campaign. 

Pie was dependent for the supply of his armies upon a single- 
track railroad from ISTashville to the point where he was operating. 
This passed the entire distance through a hostile country, and every 
foot of it had to be protected by troops. The cavalry force of the 
enemy under Forrest, in Northern Mississippi, was evidently wait- 
ing for Sherman to advance far enough into the mountains of Geor- 
gia to make a retreat disastrous, to get upon his line and destroy it 
beyond the possibility of further use. To guard against this dan- 
ger, Sherman left what he supposed to be a sufiicient force to oper- 
ate against Forrest in West Tennessee, He directed General 
Washburn, who commanded there, to send Brigadier-General S, 
D, Sturgis in command of this force to attack him. On the morn- 
ing of the 10th of June General Sturgis met the enemy near Gun- 
town, Mississippi, was badly beaten, and driven back in utter rout 
and confusion to Memphis, a distance of about one hundred miles, 
hotly pursued by the enemy. By this, however, the enemy was 



36 KEPOET OF LIEIJTENANT-GENEKAL U. S. GEAJSTT. 

defeated in his designs upon Sherman's line of communications. 
The persistency with which he followed up this success exhausted 
him, and made a season for rest and repairs necessary. In the 
mean time Major-General A. J. Smith, with the troops of the Army 
of the Tennessee that had been sent by General Sherman to General 
Banks, arrived at Memphis on their return from Red Eiver, where 
they had done most excellent service. He was directed by General 
Sherman to immediately take the offensive against Forrest. This 
he did with the promptness and effect which has characterized his 
whole military career. On the 14:th of July he met the enemy at 
Tupelo, Mississippi, and whipped him badly. The fighting con- 
tinued through three days. Our loss was small compared with 
that of the enemy. Having accomplished the object of his expedi- 
tion, General Smith returned to Memphis. 

During the months of March and April this same force under 
Forrest annoyed us considerably. On the 24th of March it cap- 
tured Union City, Kentucky, and its garrison, and on the 24:th 
attacked Paducah, commanded by Colonel S. G. Hicks, Fortieth 
Hlinois Yolunteers. Colonel H.,* having but a small force, with- 
drew to the forts near the river, from where he repulsed the enemy 
and drove him from the place. 

On the 13th of April part of this force, under the rebel General 
Buford, summoned the garrison of Columbus, Kentucky, to surren- 
der, but received for reply from Colonel La^vrence, Thirty-fourth 
New Jersey Yolunteers, that, being placed there by his Govern- 
ment, with adequate force to hold his post and repel all enemies 
from it, surrender was out of the question. 

On the morning of the same day Forrest attacked Fort Pillow, 
Tennessee, garrisoned by a detachment of Tennessee cavalry and 
the First Eegiment Alabama colored trT)ops, commanded by Major 
Booth. The garrison fought bravely until about 3 o'clock in the 
afternoon, when the enemy carried the works by assault ; and, 
after our men threw down their arms, proceeded to an inhuman 
and merciless massacre of the garrison. 

On the 14th, General Buford, having failed at Columbus, ap- 
peared before Paducah, but was again driven off. 

Guerrillas and raiders, seemingly emboldened by Forrest^s 
operations, were also very active in Kentucky. The most noted 
of these was Morgan. With a force of from two to three thousand 
cavalry he entered the State through Pound Gap in the latter part 



EEPOKT OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL U. S. GEAJSTT. 37 

of May. On the llth of June lie attacked and captured Cynthiana, 
witli its entire garrison. On the 12th he was overtaken by General 
Burbridge, and completely routed with heavy loss, and was finally 
driven out of the State. This notorious guerrilla was afterwards 
surprised and killed near Greenville, Tennessee, and his command 
captured and dispersed by General Gillem. 

In the absence of official reports at the commencement of the 
Ked River expedition, except so far as relates to the movements of 
the troops sent by General Sherman under A. J. Smith, I am 
unable to give the date of its starting. The troops under General 
Smith, comprising two divisions of the Sixteenth and a detachment 
of the Seventeenth Army Corps, left Yicksburg on the 10th of 
March and reached the designated point on Red River one day 
earlier than that appointed by General Banks. The rebel forces at 
Fort De Russey, thinking to defeat him, left the fort on the 14tli to 
give him battle in the open field ; but, while occupying the enemy 
with skirmishing and demonstrations. Smith pushed forward to 
Fort De Russey, which had been left with a weak g'arrison, and 
captured it with its garrison — about 350 men, 11 pieces of artillery, 
and many small-arms. Our loss was but slight. On the 15th he 
pushed forward to Alexandria, which place he reached on the 18th. 
On the 21st he had an engagement with the enemy at Henderson 
Hill, in which he defeated him, capturing 210 prisoners and 4 
pieces of artillery. 

On the 28th he again attacked and defeated the enemy under 
the rebel General Taylor, at Cane River. By the 26th General 
Banks had assembled his whole army at Alexandria and pushed 
forward to Grand Ecore. On the morning of April 6th he 
moved from Grand Ecore. On the afternoon of the 7th his 
advance engaged the enemy near Pleasant Hill and drove him 
from the field. On the same afternoon the enemy made a stand 
eight miles beyond Pleasant HiU, but was again compelled to 
retreat. On the 8th, at Sabine Cross-Roads and Peach Hill, 
the enemy attacked and defeated his advance, capturiog nineteen 
pieces of artillery and an immense amount of transportation and 
stores. During the night General Banks fell back to Pleasant 
Hill, where another battle was fought on the 9th, and the enemy 
repulsed with great loss. During the night General Banks con- 
tinued his retrograde movement to Grand Ecore, and thence to 
Alexandria, which he reached on the 27th of April. Here a seri- 



38 EEPOET OF LIETJTENAJSTT-GENEEAL U. S. GEAJSTT. 

ous difficulty arose in getting Admiral Porter's fleet, wliicli accom- 
panied tlie expedition, over the rapids, tlie water having fallen so 
much since they passed up as to prevent their return. At the 
suggestion of Colonel (now Brigadier-General) Bailey, and under his 
superintendence, wing-dams were constructed, by which the chan- 
nel was contracted so that the fleet passed.down the rapids in safety. 

The army evacuated Alexandria on the 14th of May, after con- 
siderable skirmishing with the enemy's advance, and reached 
Morganzia and Point Coupee near the end of the month. The 
disastrous termination of this expedition, and the lateness of the 
season, rendered impracticable the carrying out of my plan of a 
movement in force sufficient to insurfe the capture of Mobile, 

On the 23d of March, Major-General Steele left Little Koek 
with the Seventh Army Corps to cooperate with General Banks's 
expedition on Eed Piver, and reached Arkadelphia on the 28th. 
On the 16th of April, after driving the enemy before him, he was 
joined, near Elkin's Perry, in Washita County, by General Thayer, 
who had marched from Port Smith. After several severe skir- 
mishes, in which the enemy was defeated, General Steele reached 
Camden, which he occupied about the middle of April. 

On learning the defeat and consequent retreat of General 
Banks on Ked River, and the loss of one of liis own trains at Mark's 
mill, in Dallas County, General Steele determined to fall back to 
the Ai-kansas River, He left Camden on the 26th of April, and 
reached Little Rock on the 2d of May. On the 30th of April, the 
enemy attacked him while crossing Saline River at Jenkins's Perry, 
but was repulsed with considerable loss. Our loss was about 600 
in killed, wounded, and prisoners. 

Major-General Canby, who had been assigned to the command 
of the " Military Division of the West Mississippi," was therefore 
directed to send the Nineteenth Army Corps to join the armies 
operating against Richmond, and to limit the remainder of his 
\ command to such operations as might be necessary to hold the 
positions and lines of communications he then occupied. 

Before starting General A, J. Smith's troops back to Sherman, 
General Canby sent a part of it to disperse a force of the enemy 
that was collecting near the Mississippi River. General Smith 
met and defeated this force near Lake Chicot on the 5th of June. 
Our loss was about forty killed and seventy wounded. 

In the latter part of July General Canby sent Major-General 



KEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL U. S. GRANT. 39 

Gordon Granger, with sucli forces as lie could collect, to co5perate 
with Admiral Farragut against the defences of Mobile Bay. On 
the 8th of August Fort Gaines surrendered to the combined naval 
and land forces. Fort Powell was blown up and abandoned. 

On the 9th, Fort Morgan was invested, and, after a severe 
bombardment, surrendered on the 23d. The total captures 
amounted to 1,464 prisoners, and 104 pieces of artillery. 

About the last of August, it being reported that the rebel Gen- 
eral Price, with a force of about 10,000 men, had reached Jackson- 
port, on his way to invade Missouri, General A. J. Smith's com- 
mand, then en route from Memphis to join Sherman, was ordered 
to Missouri. A cavalry force was also, at the same time, sent 
from Memphis, under command of Colonel Winslow. This made 
General Rosecrans's forces superior to those of Price, and no doubt 
was entertained he would be able to check Price and drive him 
back ; while the forces under General Steele, in Arkansas, would 
cut off his retreat. On the 26th day of September Price attacked 
Pilot Knob and forced the garrison to retreat, and thence moved 
north to the Missouri Piver, and continued up that river toward 
Kansas. General Curtis, commanding department of Kansas, im- 
mediately collected such forces as he could to repel the invasion of 
Kansas, while General Rosecrans's cavalry was operating in his rear. 

The enemy was brought to battle on the Big Blue and defeat- 
ed, with the loss of nearly all his artillery and trains and a large 
number of prisoners. He made a precipitate retreat to l^orthern 
Arkansas. The impunity with which Price was enabled to roam 
over the State of Missouri for a long time, and the incalculable 
mischief done by him, shows to how little purpose a superior force 
may be used. There is no reason why General Rosecrans should 
not have concentrated his forces, and beaten and driven Price be- 
fore the latter reached Pilot Knob. 

September 20th, the enemy's cavalry, under Forrest, crossed 
the Tennessee near Waterloo, Alabama, and on the 23d attacked 
the garrison at Athens, consisting of six hundred men, which capit- 
ulated on the 24th. Soon after tlie surrender two regiments of 
reenforcements arrived, and after a severe fight were compelled to 
surrender. Forrest destroyed the railroad westward, captured the 
garrison at Sulphur Branch trestle, skirmished with the garrison at 
Pulaski on the 2Tth, and on the same day cut the JSTashville and 
Chattanooga Railroad near TuUahoma and Dechard. On the morn- 



40 KEPORT OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT. 

ing of the 30th one column of Forrest's command, under Buford, 
appeared before Huntsville, and summoned the surrender of the 
garrison, deceiving an answer in the negative, he remained in the 
vicinity of the place until next morning, when he again summoned 
its surrender, and received the same reply as on the night before. 
He withdrew in the direction of Athens, which place had been re- 
garrisoned, and attacked it on the afternoon of the 1st of October, 
but without success. On the morning of the 2d he renewed his at- 
tack, but was handsomely repulsed. 

Another column under Forrest appeared before Columbia on 
the morning of the 1st, but did not make an attack. On the morn- 
ing of the 3d he moved toward Mount Pleasant. While these 
operations were going on, every exertion was made by General 
Thomas to destroy the forces under Forrest before he could recross 
the Tennessee, but was unable to prevent his escape to Corinth, 
Mississippi. 

In September, an expedition under General Burbridge was sent 
to destroy the salt works at Saltville, Virginia. He met the enemy 
on the 2d of October, about three miles and a half from Saltville, 
and drove him into his strongly intrenched position around the 
salt works, from which he was unable to dislodge him. During 
the night he withdrew his command and returned to Kentucky. 

General Sherman, immediately after the fall of Atlanta, put his 
armies in camp in and about the place, and made all preparations 
for refitting and supplying them for future service. The great 
length of road from Atlanta to the Cumberland Eiver, however, 
which had to be guarded, allowed the troops but little rest. 

During this time Jeiferson Davis made a speech in Macon, 
Georgia, which was reported in the papers of the South, and soon 
became known to the whole country, disclosing the plans of the 
enemy, thus enabling General Sherman to fully meet them. He 
exhibited the weakness of supposing that an army that had been 
beaten and fearfully decimated in a vain attempt at the defensive, 
could successfully undertake the offensive against the army that 
had so often defeated it. 

In execution of this plan, Hood, with his army, was soon re- 
ported to the southwest of Atlanta. Moving far to Sherman's 
right, he succeeded in reaching the raikoad about Big Shanty, and 
moved north on it. 

General Sherman, leaving a force to hold Atlanta, with the 



KEPOET OF LIEUTENAilT-GENEKAL U. S. GRANT. 41 

remainder of his army fell upon him and drove him to Gadston, 
Alabama, Seeing the constant annoyance he would have with the 
roads to his rear if he attempted to hold Atlanta, General Sherman 
proposed the abandonment and destruction of that place, with all 
the railroads leading to it, and telegraphed me as follows : 

" Centreville, Ga., October 10 — ^noon. 
" Despatch about Wilson just received. Hood is now crossing Coosa 
River, twelve miles below Rome, bound west. If be passes over the Mobile 
and Ohio road, had I not better execute the plan of my letter sent by Colonel 
Porter, and leave General Thomas, with the troops now in Tennessee, to 
defend the State ? He wiU have an ample force when the reenforcements 
ordered reach Nashville. 

" W. T. Sherman, Major-General. 
" Lieutenant-General Grant." 

For a full understanding of the plan referred to in this despatch, 
I quote from the letter sent by Colonel Porter : " I will therefore give 
my opinion, that your army and Canby's should be reenforced to 
the maximum ; that after you get Wilmington, you strike for Sa- 
vannah and the river ; that Canby be instructed to hold the Mis- 
sissippi River, and send a force to get Columbus, Georgia, either by 
the way of the Alabama or the Appalachicola, and that I keep 
Hood employed and put my army in final order for a march on 
Augusta, Columbia, and Charleston, to be ready as soon as Wil- 
mington is sealed as to commerce, and the city of Savannah is in 
our possession." This was in reply to a letter of mine of date Sep- 
tember 12th, in answer to a despatch of his containing substantially 
the same proposition, and in which I informed him of a proposed 
movement against Wilmington, and of the situation in Virginia, 
etc. 

" City Point, Va,, October 11, 1864— U a. m. 
"Your despatch of October 10th received. Does it not look as if Hood 
was going to attempt the invasion of Middle Tennessee, using the Mobile 
and Ohio and Memphis and Charleston roads to supply his base on the 
Tennessee River, about Florence or Decatur? If he does tbis, he ouglt to 
be met and prevented from getting north of the Tennessee River. If you 
were to cut loose, I do not beHeve you would meet Hood's army, but would 
be bushwhacked by all the old men and little boys, and such railroad 
guards as are still left at home. Hood would probably strike for Nashville, 
thinking that by going north he could inflict greater damage upon us than 



42 EEPOET or LIEUTENANT-GENEKAL TJ. S. GEANT. 

we could upon the rebels by going south. If there is any way of getting 
at Hood's army I would prefer that ; but I must trust to your own judg- 
ment. I find I shall not be able to send a force from here to act with you 
on Savannah. Your movements, therefore, will be independent of mine ; 
at least until the fall of Eichmond takes place. I am afraid Thomas, with 
such lines of road as he has to protect, could not prevent Hood from going 
north. With Wilson turned loose, with all your cavalry, you will find the 
rebels put much more on the defensive than heretofore. 

" U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 
" Major-General W. T. Sheeman." 

"Kingston, Ga., October 11 — 11 a. m. 

" Hood moved his army from Palmetto Station across by Dallas and 
Cedartown, and is now on the Coosa River, south of Rome. He threw 
one corps on my road at Acworth, and I vy^as forced to follow. I hold 
Atlanta with the Twentieth Corps, and have strong detachments along my 
line. This reduces my active force to a comparatively small army. We 
cannot remain here on the defensive. With the 25,000 men, and the bold 
cavalry he has, he can constantly break my roads. I would infinitely pre- 
fer to make a Avreck of the road, and of the country from Chattanooga to 
Atlanta, including the latter city — send back all my wounded and worth- 
less, and, with my effective army, move through Georgia, smashing things, 
to the sea. Hood may turn into Tennessee and Kentucky, but I beheve 
he will be forced to follow me. Instead of my being on the defensive, I 
would be on the off'ensive ; instead of guessing at what he means to do, he 
would have to guess at my plans. The difference in war is full twenty-five 
per cent. I' can make Savannah, Charleston, or the mouth of -the 
Chattahoochee. 

" Answer quick, as I know we will not have the telegraph long. 

" W. T. Sherman, Major-General. 

" Lieutenant-General Grant. 

" City Point, Va., October 11, 1864—11:30 p. m. 

" Your despatch of to-day received. If you are satisfied the trip to 
the sea-coast can be made, holding the line of the Tennessee River firmly, 
you may make it, destroying all the railroad south of Dalton or Chatta- 
nooga, as you think best. 

> " U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

" Major-General W. T. Sherman." 

It was the original design to hold Atlanta, and by getting 
tLxougb. to the coast, witli a garrison left on the southern railroads, 
leading east and west, through Georgia, to effectually sever the 



KEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL IT. S. GEAJSTT. 43 

east from the west. In other words, cut the would-be Confed- 
eracy in two again, as it had been cut once by our gaining pos- 
session of the Mississippi Eiver. General Sherman's plan virtually 
effected this object. 

General Sherman commenced at once his preparations for his 
proposed movement, keeping his army in position in the mean time 
to watch Hood. Becoming satisfied that Hood had moved West- 
ward from Gadsden across Sand Mountain, General Sherman sent 
the Fourth Corps, Major-General Stanley commanding, and the 
Twenty-third Corps, Major-General Schofield commanding, back 
to Chattanooga to report to Major-General Thomas, at Nashville, 
whom he had placed in command of all the troops of his military 
division, save the four army corps and cavalry division he designed 
to move with through Georgia. "With the troops thus left at his 
disposal, there was little doubt that General Thomas could hold 
the line of the Tennessee, or, in the event Hood should force it, 
would be able to concentrate and beat him in battle. It was there- 
fore readily consented to that Sherman should start for the sea- 
coast. 

Having concentrated his troops at Atlanta by the 14th of No- 
vember, he commenced his march, threatening both Augusta and 
Macon. His coming-out point could not be definitely fixed. Hav- 
ing to gather his subsistence as he marched through tlie country, 
it was not impossible that a force inferior to his own might compel 
him to head for such point as he could reach, instead of such as he 
might prefer. The blindness of the enemy, however, in ignoring 
his movement, and sending Hood's army, the only considerable 
force he had west of Richmond and east of the Mississippi River, 
northward on an offensive campaign, left the whole country open, 
and Sherman's route to his own choice. 

How that campaign was conducted, how little opposition was 
met with, the condition of the country through which the armies 
passed, the capture of Fort McAllister, on the Savannah River, 
and the occupation of Savannah on the 21st of December, are all 
clearly set forth in General Sherman's admirable report. 

Soon after General Sherman commenced his march from At- 
lanta, two expeditions, one from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and one 
fii'om Yicksburg, Mississippi, were started by General Canby to cut 
the enemy's line of communication with Mobile and detain troops 
in that field. General Foster, commanding Department of the 



44 REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-GENEKAL U. S. GRANT. 

South, also sent an expedition, via Broad Eiver, to destroy the 
raih'oad between Charleston and Savannah. The expedition from 
Yicksburg, under command of Brevet Brigadier-General E. D. 
Osband (colonel Tliu-d United States colored cavalry), captured, 
on the 27th of ISTovember, and destroyed the Mississippi Central 
railroad bridge and trestle-work over Big Black River, near Can- 
ton,*thirty miles of the road, and two locomotives, besides large 
amounts of stores. The expedition from Baton Eouge was without 
favorable results. The expedition from the Department of the 
South, under the immediate command of Brigadier-General John 
P. Hatch, consisting of about five thousand men of all arms, in- 
cluding a brigade from the navy, proceeded up Broad River and 
debarked at Boyd's Neck on the 29tli of ISTovember, from where it 
moved to strike the railroad at Grahams ville. At Honey Hill, 
about three miles from Grahamsville, the enemy was found and 
attacked in a strongly fortified position, which resulted, after severe 
fighting, in our repulse with a loss of 746 in killed, wounded, and 
missing. During the night General Hatch withdrew. On the 6th 
of December General Foster obtained a position covering the 
Charleston and Savannah Railroad, between the Coosawatchie 
and Talifinny Rivers. 

Hood, instead of following Sherman, continued his move north- 
ward, which seemed to me to be leading to his certain doom. At 
all events, had I had the power to command both armies, I should 
not have changed the orders under which he seemed to be acting. 
On the twenty-sixth of October the advance of Hood's army at- 
tacked the garrison at Decatur, Alabama, but failing to carry the 
place, withdrew toward Courtland, and succeeded, in the face of 
our cavalry, in effecting a lodgment on the north side of the Ten- 
nessee River, near Florence. On the 28th Forrest reached the Ten- 
nessee, at Fort Hieman, and captured a gunboat and three trans- 
ports. On the second of [November he planted batteries above and 
below John son ville, on the opposite side of the river, isolating 
three gunboats and eight transports. On the 4th the enemy opened 
his batteries upon the place, and was replied to from the gun- 
boats and the garrison. Th3 gunboats becoming disabled were set 
on fire, as also were the transports, to prevent their falling into the 
hands of the enemy. About a million and a half dollars' worth 
of stores and property on the levee and in storehouses was con- 
sumed by fire. On the 5th the enemy disappeared and crossed 



EEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL U. 6. GKAJSTT. 45 

to the nortli side of the Tennessee Eiver, above Jolmsonville, mov- 
ing toward Clifton, and subsequently joined Hood. On the night 
of the 5th General Schofield, with the advance of the Twenty-third 
Corps, reached Johnsonville, but finding the enemy gone, was or- 
dered to Pulaski, and put in command of all the troops there, with 
instructions to watch the movements of Hood and retard his ad- 
vance, but not to risk a general engagement until the arrival of 
General A. J. Smith's command from Missouri, and until General 
Wilson could get his cavalry remounted. 

On the 19th General Hood continued his advance. General 
Thomas, retarding him as much as possible, fell back toward Nash- 
ville for the purpose of concentrating his command and gaining 
time for the arrival of reenforcements. The enemy coming up 
with om* main force, commanded by General Schofield, at Frank- 
lin, on the 30th, assaulted our works repeatedly during the after- 
noon until late at night, but were in every instance repulsed. His 
loss in this battle was 1,Y50 killed, T02 prisoners, and 3,800 
wounded. Among his losses were six general officers killed, six 
wounded, and one captm'ed. Our entire loss was 2,300. This was 
the fii'st serious opposition the enemy met with, and I am satisfied 
was the fatal blow to all his expectations. During the night Gen- 
eral Schofield fell back toward ITashville. This left the field to 
the enemy — not lost by battle, but voluntarily abandoned^so that 
General Thomas's whole force might be brought together. The 
enemy followed up and commenced the establishment of his line in 
front of Nashville on the second of December. 

As soon as it was ascertained that Hood was crossing the Ten- 
nessee River, and that Price was going out of Missouri, General 
Posecrans was ordered to send to General Thomas the troops of 
General A. J. Smith's command and such other troops as he could 
spare. The advance of this reenforcement reached Nashville on 
the 30th of November. 

On the morning of the 15th December General Thomas at- 
tacked Hood in position, and, in a battle lasting two days, defeated 
and drove him from the field in the utmost confusion, leaving in 
our hands most of his artillery and many thousand prisoners, in- 
cluding four general officers. 

Before the battle of Nashville I grew very impatient over, as it 
appeared to me, the unnecessary delay. This impatience was in- 
creased upon learning that the enemy had sent a force of cavalry 



46 EEPORT OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL IJ. S. GRANT. 

across the Cuijiberland into Kentucky. I feared Hood would cross 
liis whole army and give ns great trouble there. After urging 
upon General Thomas the necessity of immediately assuming the 
offensive, I started west to superintend matters there in person. 
Reaching Washington City, I received General Thomas's despatch 
announcing his attack upon the enemy, and the result as far as the 
battle had progressed. I was delighted. All fears and apprehen- 
sions were dispelled. I am not yet satisfied but that General 
Thomas, immediately upon the appearance of Hood before Nash- 
ville, and before he had time to fortify, should have moved out 
with his whole force and given him battle, instead of waiting to 
remount his cavalry, which delayed him until the inclemency of 
the weather made it impracticable to attack earlier than he did. 
But his final defeat of Hood was so complete that it will be accept- 
ed as a vindication of that distinguished officer's judgment. 

After Hood's defeat at Nashville he retreated, closely pursued 
by cavalry and infantry, to the Tennessee River, being forced to 
abandon many pieces of ai'tillery and most of his tjaneportation. 
On the 28th of December our advance forces ascertained that he 
had made good his escape to the south side of the river. 

About this time, the rains having set in heavily in Tennessee 
and North Alabama, making it difficult to move army transporta- 
tion and artillery. General Thomas stopped the pursuit by his main 
force at the Tennessee River. A small force of cavalry, under 
Colonel "W. J. Palmer, Fifteenth Pennsylvania Yolunteers, con- 
tinued to follow Hood for some distance, capturing considerable 
transportation and the enemy's pontoon bridge. The details of these 
operations will be found clearly set forth in General Thomas's 
report. 

A cavalry expedition, under Brevet Major- General Grierson, 
started from Memphis on the 21st of December. On the 25th he 
surprised and captured Forrest's dismounted camp at Yerona, Mis- 
sissippi, on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, destroyed the railroad, 
sixteen cars loaded with wagons and pontoons for Hood's army, 
4,000 new English carbines, and large amounts of public stores. 
On the morning of the 28th he attacked and captured a force of 
the enemy at Egypt, and destroyed a train of fourteen cars ; thence 
turning to the southwest, he struck the Mississippi Central Rail- 
road at "Winona, destroyed the factories and large amounts of stores 
at Bankston, and the machine shops and public property at Gre- 
nada, arriving at Yicksburg January 5th. 



KEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL U. S. GEANT. 47 

During these operations in Middle Tennessee, the enemy, with 
a force under General Breckinridge, entered East Temiessee. On 
the 13th of November, he attacked General Gillem, near Morris- 
town, capturing his artillery and several hundred prisoners. Gillem, 
with what was left of his command, retreated to Knoxville. Fol- 
lowing up his success, Breckinridge moved to near Knoxville, but 
withdrew on the 18th, followed by General Ammen. Under the 
directions of General Thomas, General Stoneman concentrated the 
commands of Generals Burbridge and Gillem near Bean's Station, 
to operate against Breckinridge, and destroy or drive him into 
Yirginia — destroy the salt works at Saltville, and the raih'oad into 
Virginia as far as he could go without endangering his command. 
On the 12th of December he commenced his movement, capturing 
and dispersing the enemy's force wherever he met them. On the 
16th he struck the enemy, under Yaugn, at Marion, completely 
routing and pursuing him to Wytheville, capturing all his artillery, 
trains, and one hundred and ninety-eight prisoners; and. destroyed 
Wytheville, with its stores and supplies, and the extensive lead- 
works near there. Returning to Marion, he met a force under 
Breckinridge, consisting, among other troops, of the garrison of 
Saltville, that had started in pursuit. He at once made arrange- 
ments to attack it the next morning ; but morning found Breckin- 
ridge gone. He then moved directly to Saltville, and destroyed 
the extensive salt-works at that place, a large amount of stores, 
and captured eight pieces of artillery. Having thus successfully 
executed his instructions, he returned General Burbridge to Lex- 
ington and General Gillem to Knoxville. 

Wilmington, North Carolina, was the most important sea-coast 
port left to the enemy through which to get supplies from abroad, 
and send cotton and other products out by blockade-runners, be- 
sides being a place of great strategic value. The navy had been 
making strenuous exertions to seal the harbor of "Wilmington, but 
with only partial effect. The nature of the outlet of Cape Fear 
River was such that it required watching for so great a distance 
that, without possession of the land north of New Inlet, or Fort 
Fisher, it was impossible for the navy to entirely close the harbor 
against the entrance of blockade-runners. 

To secure the possession of this land required the cooperation 
of a land force, which I agreed to furnish. I immediately com- 
menced the assemblage in Hampton Roads, under Admiral D. D. 



48 KEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL U. S. GEAJSTT, 

Porter, of the most formidable armada ever collected for concen- 
tration upon one given point. This necessarily attracted the 
attention of the enemy, as well as that of the loyal ISTorth ; and 
through the imprudence of the public press, and very likely of 
officers of both branches of service, the exact object of the expedi- 
tion became a subject of common discussion in the newspapers both 
l^orth and South. The enemy, thus warned, prepared to meet it. 
This caused a postponement of the expedition until the latter part 
of November, when, being again called upon by Hon. G. Y. Fox, 
Assistant-Secretary of the Navy, I agreed to furnish the men 
required at once, and went myself, in company with Major-Gen- 
eral Butler, to Hampton Eoads, where we had a conference with 
Admiral Porter as to the force required and the time of starting. 
A force of six thousand five hundred men was regarded as 
sufficient. The time of starting was not definitely arranged, but 
it was thought all would be ready by the 6th of December, if not 
before. Learning, on the 30th of November, that Bragg had gone 
to Georgia, taking with him most of the forces about "Wilmington, 
I deemed it of the utmost importance that the expedition should 
reach its destination before the retm-n of Bragg, and directed Gen- 
eral Butler to make all arrangements for the departm^e of Major- 
General Weitzel, who had been designated to command the land 
forces, so that the navy might not be detained one moment. 

On the 6th of December, the following instructions were given : 

" City Point, Va., December 6, 1864. 
" General : The first object of the expedition under General Weitzel 
IS to close to the enemy the port of Wilmington. If successful in this, 
the second will he to capture Wilmington itself. There are reasonable 
grounds to hope for success, if advantage can be taken of the absence of 
the greater part of the enemy's forces now looking after Sherman in 
Georgia. The directions you have given for the numbers and equipment 
of the expedition are all right, except in the unimportant matter of where 
they embark and the amount of intrenching tools to be taken. The object 
of the expedition will be gained by effecting a landing on the main land 
between Cape Fear River and the Atlantic, north of the north entrance to 
the river. Should such landing be effected whilst the enemy still holds 
Fort Fisher and the batteries guarding the entrance to the river, then the 
troops should intrench themselves, and, by cooperating with the navy, 
effect the reduction and capture of those places. These in our hands, the 
navy could enter the harbor, and the port of Wilmington would be sealed. 
Should Fort Fisher and the point of land on which it is built fall into the 



EEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEKAL U. S. GKANT. 49 

hands of our troops immediately on landing, then it will be worth the 
attempt to capture Wilmington by a forced march and surprise. If time 
is consumed in gaining the first object of the expedition, the second will 
become a matter of after consideration. 

" The details for execution are intrusted to you and the officer imme- 
diately in command of the troops. 

" Should the troops under General Weitzel fail to effect a landing at or 
near Fort Fisher, they will be returned to the armies operating against 
Richmond without delay. 

"IT. S. GrRANT, Lieutenant-General. 

" Major-General B. F. Butleb." 

General Butler, commanding the army from which the troops 
were taken for this entei'prise, and the territory within which they 
were to operate, military courtesy requii*ed that all orders and 
instructions should go through him. They were so sent; but 
General Weitzel has since oflScially informed me that he never 
received the foregoing instructions, nor was he aware of their 
existence until he read General Butler's published official report 
of the Fort Fisher failure, with my endorsement and papers ac- 
companying it. I had no idea of General Butler's accompanying 
the expedition until the evening before it got off from Bermuda 
Hundreds, and then did not dream but that General "Weitzel had 
received all the instructions, and would be in command. I rather 
formed the idea that General Butler was actuated by a desire to 
mtness the effect of the explosion of the powder-boat. The expe- 
dition was detained several days at Hampton Roads, awaiting the 
loading of the powder-boat. 

The importance of getting the Wilmington expedition off 
without any delay, with or without the powder-boat, had been 
urged upon General Butler, and he advised to so notify Admiral 
Porter. 

Tlje expedition finally got off on the 13th of December, and 
arrived at the place of rendezvous, off 'New Inlet, near Fort Fisher, 
on the evening of the 15th. Admiral Porter amved on the even- 
ing of the 18th, having put in at Beaufort to get ammunition for 
the monitors. The sea becoming rough, making it difficult to land 
troops, and the supply of water and coal being about exhausted, 
the transport fleet put back to Beaufort to replenish ; this, with 
the state of the weather, delayed the return to the place of rendez- 
vous until the 24th. The powder-boat was exploded on ^he morn- 
4 



50 KEPOKT OF LIEUTENAJSTT-GENEEAL U. S. GKANT. 

ing of tlie 24:th, before the return of General Butler from Beaufort ; 
but it would seem, from the notice taken of it in the Southern 
newspapers, that the enemy were never enlightened as to the 
object of the explosion until they were informed by the ISTorthern 
press. 

On the 25th a landing was effected without opposition, and a 
reconnoissance, under Brevet Brigadier-General Curtis, pushed up 
toward the fort. But before receiving a full report of the result 
Ojf this reconnoissance. General Butler, in direct violation of the 
instructions given, ordered the reembarkation of the troops and the 
return of the expedition. The reembarkation was accomplished 
by the morning of the 27th. 

On the return of the expedition, officers and men — among them 
Brevet Major-General (then Brevet Brigadier-General) M. B. 

Curtis, First Lieutenant G. W. Boss, regiment Yermont Yol- 

unteers, First Lieutenant George AY. Walling, and Second Lieu- 
tenant George Simpson, One Hundred and Forty-second l^ew 
Tork Yolunteers — voluntarily reported to me that when recalled 
they were nearly into the fort, and, in their opinion, it could have 
been taken without much loss. 

Soon after the return of the expedition, I received a despatch 
from the Secretary of the Navy, and a letter from Admiral Borter, 
informing me that the fleet was still off" Fort Fisher, and express- 
ing the conviction that, under a proper leader, the place could be 
taken. The natural supposition with me was, that when the troops 
abandoned the expedition the navy would do so also. Finding it 
had not, however, I answered on the 30th of December, advising 
Admiral Porter to hold on, and that I would send a force and make 
another attempt to take the place. This time I selected Brevet 
Major-General (now Major-General) A. H. Terry to command the 
expedition. The troops composing it consisted of the same that 
composed the former, with the addition of a small brigade, num- 
bering about 1,500, and a small siege train. The latter it was 
iiever found necessary to land. I communicated direct to the 
commander of the expedition the following instructions : 

'^ City Point, Va., January 3, 1865 
" General : The expedition intrusted to your command has been 
fitted out to renew the attempt to capture Fort Fisher, N. C, and Wil- 
mington ultimately, if the fort falls. You will then proceed with as little 
delay as possible to the naval fleet lying off Cape Fear River, and report 



EEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEKAL TJ. S. GEAJSTT. 51 

the arrival of yourself and command to Admiral D. D. Porter, command- 
ing North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. 

" It is exceedingly desirable that the most complete understanding 
should exist -between yourself and the naval commander. I suggest, there- 
fore, that you consult with Admiral Porter freely, and get from him the 
part to bo performed by each branch of the public service, so that there 
may be unity of action. It would be well to have the whole programme 
laid down in writing. I have served with Admiral Porter, and know that 
you can rely on his judgment and his nerve to undertake what he proposes. 
I would, therefore, defer to him as much as is consistent with your own 
responsibilities. The first object to be attained is to get a firm position on 
the spit of land on which Fort Fisher is built, from which you can operate 
against that fort. You want to look to the practicability of receiving your 
supplies, and to defending yourself against superior forces sent against you 
by any of the avenues left open to the enemy. If such a position can be 
obtained, the siege of Fort Fisher will not be abandoned until its reduction 
is accomplished, or another plan of campaign is ordered from these 
headquarters. 

" My own views are that, if you effect a landing, the navy ought to run 
a portion of their fleet into Cape Fear River, while the balance of it 
operates on the outside. Land forces cannot invest Fort Fisher, or cut it 
off' from supplies or reenforcements, while the river is in the possession of 
the enemy. 

" A siege train will be loaded on vessels and sent to Fort Monroe, in 
readiness to be sent to you if required. All other supplies can be drawn 
from Beaufort' as you need them. , 

" Keep the fleet of vessels with you until your position is assured. 
When you find they can be spared, order them back, or such of them as 
you can spare, to Fort Monroe, to report for orders. 

" In case of failure to effect a landing, bring your command back to 
Beaufort, and report to these headquarters for further instructions. You 
will not debark at Beaufort until so directed. 

" General Sheridan has been ordered to send a division of troops to 
Baltimore, and place them on sea-going vessels. These troops will be 
brought to Fort Monroe and kept there on the vessels until you are 
heard from. Should you require them, they will be sent to you. 

" U. S. Gkant, Lieutenant-GeneraL 

" Brevet Major-General A. H. Terry." 

Lieutenant-Colonel C. B. Comstock, aide-de-camp (now brevet 
brigadier-general), who accompanied the former expedition, was 
assigned in orders as chief engineer to this. 

It will be seen that tliese instructions did not differ materially 



52 EEPOET OF LIEUTENAJSrr-GENEEAL U. S. GEANT. 

from those given for the first expedition ; and that in neither in- 
stance was there an order to assault Fort Fisher. This was a mat- 
ter left entirely to the discretion of the commanding officer. 

The ex]3edition sailed from Fort Monroe on the morning of 
the 6th, arriving on the rendezvous, oif Beaufort, on tlie 8th, where, 
owing to the difficulties of the weather, it lay until the morning of 
the 12th, when it got under way and reached its destination that 
evening. Under cover of the fleet the disembarkation of the troops 
commenced on the morning of the 13th, and by 3 o'clock p. m. was 
completed without loss. On the Idth a reconnoissance was pushed 
to within five hundred yards of Fort Fisher, and a small advance 
work taken possession of and turned into a defensive line against 
any attempt that might be made from the fort. This recon- 
noissance disclosed the fact that the front of the work had been 
seriously injured by the navy fire. In the afternoon of the 15tli 
the fort was assaulted, and after most desperate fighting was cap- 
tured, with its entire garrison and armament. Thus was secured, 
by the combined effiarts of the navy and army, one of the most im- 
portant successes of the war. Our loss was : killed, one hundred 
and ten; wounded, five hundred and thirty-six. On the 16th and 
17th the enemy abandoned and blew up Fort Caswell and the 
works on Smith's Island, which were immediately occupied by us. 
This gave us entire control of the mouth of the Cape Fear River. 

At my request, Major-General B. F. Butler was relieved, and 
Major-General E. O. C. Ord assigned to the command of the De- 
partment of Virginia and North Carolina. 

The defence of the line of the Tennessee no longer requiring 
the force which, had beaten and nearly destroyed the only army 
threatening it, I determined to find other fields of operation for 
General Thomas's surplus troops — fields from which they would 
cooperate with other movements. General Thomas was therefore 
directed to collect all troops, not essential to hold his communica- 
tions at Eastport, in readiness for orders. On the 7th of January 
General Thomas was directed, if he was assured of the departure 
of Hood south from Corinth, to send General Schofield with his 
corps east with as little delay as possible. This direction was 
promptly complied with, and the advance of the corps reached 
Washington on the 23d of the same month, whence it was sent to 
Fort Fisher and IS'ewbern. , On the 26th he was directed to send 
General A. J. Smith's command and a division of cavalry to report 



EEPOKT OF LIEUTENAJSTT-GENEEAL U. S. GKANT. 58 

to General Canby. By the 7th of February the whole force was 
en route for its destmation. 

The State of North Carolina was constituted into a military de- 
partment, and General Schofield assigned to command, and placed 
under the orders of Major-General Sherman. The following in- 
Btructions were given him : 

" City Point, Va., January 31, 1865. 

" General : * * * Your movements are intended as cooperative 
with Sherman through the States of South and North Carohna. The first 
point to he attained is to secure Wilmington. Goldshoro' will then be 
your objective point, moving either fi'om Wilmington or Newbern, or 
both, as you deem best. Should you not be able to reach Goldshoro', 
you will advance on the line or lines of railway -connecting that place with 
the sea-coast — as near to it as you can, building the road behind you. 
The enterprise under you has two objects : the first is to give General 
Sherman material aid, if needed, in his march north ; the second, to open 
a base of supplies for him on his line of march. As soon, therefore, as you 
can determine which of the two points, Wilmington or Newbern, you can 
best use for throwing supplies from to the interior, you will commence the 
accumulation of twenty days' rations and forage for 60,000 men and 20,000 
animals. You will get of these as many as } ou can house and protect to 
such point in the interior as you may be able to occupy. I believe Gen- 
eral Palmer has received some instructions direct from General Sherman 
on the subject of securing supplies for his army. You can learn what 
steps he has taken, and be governed in your requisitions accordingly. A 
supply of ordnance stores will also be necessary. 

" Make all requisitions upon the chiefs of their respective departments 
in the field witb me at City Point. Communicate with me by every op- 
portunity ; afid should you deem it necessary at any time, send a special 
boat to Fortress Monroe, from which point you can communicate by 
telegraph. 

" The supplies referred to in these instructions are exclusive of those 
required for your own command. 

" The movements of the enemy may justify, or even make it your im- 
perative duty, to cut loose from your base and strike for the interior to aid 
Sherman. In such case you will act on your own judgment, without wait- 
ing for instructions. You will report, however, what you purpose doing. 
The details for carrying out these instructions are necessarily left to you. 
I would urge, however, if I did not know that you are already fully alive 
to the importance of it, prompt action. Sherman may be looked for in 
the neighborhood of Goldshoro' any time from the 22d to the 28th of 
February ; this limits your time very materially. 



54: EEPOET OF LIEUTENAIIT-GENEKAL U. S. GEANT. ' 

" If rolling stock is not secured in the capture of Wilmington, it can 
be supplied from Washington. A large force of railroad men liave already 
been sent to Beaufort, and other mechanics will go to Fort Fisher in a day 
or two. On this point I have informed you by telegraph. 

" TJ. S. Grant, Lieutenant General. 

" Major-Gen eral J. M. Schofield." 

Previous to giving these instructions I bad visited Fort Fisher, 
accompanied by General Schofield, for the purpose of seeing for 
myself the condition of things, and personally conferring with Gen- 
eral Terry and Admiral Porter as to what was best to be done. 

Anticipating the arrival of General Sherman at Savannah — his 
army entirely foot-loose, Hood being then before Nashville, Ten- 
nessee, the Southern railroads destroyed, so that it would take 
several months to reestablish a through line from west to east, and 
regarding the capture of Lee's army as the most important opera- 
tion toward closing the rebellion — I sent orders to General Sher- 
man on the 6th of December, that after establishing a base on the 
sea-coast, with necessary garrison, to include all his artillery and 
cavalry, to come by water to City Point with the balance of his 
command. 

On the 18th of December, having received information of the 
defeat and utter rout of Hood's army by General Thomas, alid 
that, owing to the great difliculty of procuring ocean transporta- 
tion, it would take over two months to transport Sherman's army, 
and doubting whether he might not contribute as much toward 
the desired result by operating from where he was, I wrote to' him 
to that efiect, and asked him for his views as to what would be 
best to do. A few days after this I received a communication from 
General Sherman, of date 16th December, acknowledging the re- 
ceipt of my order of the 6th, and informing me of his preparations 
to carry it into effect as soon as he could get transportation. Also 
that he had expected, upon reducing Savannah, instantly to march 
to Columbia, South Carolina, thence to Raleigh, and thence to re- 
port to me ; but that this would consume about six weeks' time 
after the fall of Savannah, whereas by sea he could probably reach 
me by the middle of January. The confidence he manifested in 
this letter of being able to march up and join me pleased me, and, 
without waiting for a reply to my letter of the 18th, I directed 
him, on the 28th of December, to make pi*eparations to start, as he 
proposed, without delay, to break up the railroads in North and 



EEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEKAL TJ. S. GKANT. 55 

South Carolina and join tlie armies operating against Eielim6nd 
as soon as lie could. 

Oil the 21st of January I informed General Sherman that I had 
ordered the Twenty-third Corps, Major-General Schofield command- 
ing, east ; that it numbered about 21,000 men ; that we had at 
Fort Fisher about 8,000 men ; at Newborn about 4,000 ; that if 
Wilmington was captured, General Schofield would go there ; if 
not, he would be sent to Newborn ; that, in either event, all the 
surplus force at both points would move to the interior toward 
Goldsboro', in cooperation with his movement ; that from either 
point railroad communication could be run out ; and that all these 
troops would be subject to his orders as he came into communica- 
tion with them. 

In obedience to his instructions, General Schofield proceeded to 
reduce Wilmington, North Carolina, in cooperation with the navy 
under Admiral Porter, moving his forces up both sides of the Cape 
Fear River. Fort Anderson, the enemy's main defence on the 
west bank of the river, was occupied on the morning of the 19th, 
the enemy having evacuated it after our appearaiice before it. 

After fighting on the 20th and 21st, our troops entered Wil- 
mington on the morning of the 2'2d, the enemy having retreat- 
eck toward Goldsboro' during the night. Preparations were at 
once made for a movement on Goldsboro' in two columns — 
one from Wilmington, and the other from Newborn — and to repair 
the railroad leading there from each place, as well as to supply 
General Sherman by Cape Fear Eiver, toward Fayetteville, if it 
became necessary. The column from Newbern was attacked on 
the 8th of March at Wise's Forks, and driven back with the loss of 
several hnndred prisoners. On the lltli the enemy renewed his at- 
tack upon our intrenched position, but was repulsed with severe 
loss, and fell back during the night. On the 14th the Neuse River 
was crossed and Kinston occupied, and on the 21st Goldsboro' 
was entered. The column from Wilmington reached Cox's 
bridge, on the Neuse River, ten miles above Goldsboro', on the 
22d. 

By the 1st of February General Sherman's whole army was in 
motion from Savannah. He captured Columbia, South Carolina, 
on the 17th ; thence moved on Goldsboro', North Carolina, via 
Fayetteville, re'kching the latter place on the 12th of March, open- 
ing up communication with General Schofield by way of Cape 



56 EEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT. 

Fear Eiver. On the 15tli he resumed his march on Goldsboro'. 
He met a force of the enemy at Averysboro', and after a severe 
fight defeated and compelled it to retreat. Our loss in the engage- 
ment was about 600. The enemy's loss was much greater. On 
the 18th the combined forces of the enemy, under Joe Johnston, at- 
tacked his advance at Bentonville, capturing three guns and driv- 
ing it back upon the main body. General Slocum, who was in the 
advance, ascertaining that the whole of Johnston's army was in the 
front, arranged his troops on the defensive, intrenched himself and 
awaited reenforcements, which were pushed forward. On the 
night of the 21st the enemy retreated to Smithfield, leaving his 
dead and wounded in our hands. From there Sherman continued 
to Goldsboro', which place had been occupied by General Scho- 
field on the 21st (crossing the Neuse Kiver ten miles above there, 
at Cox's bridge, where General Terry had got possession and 
thrown a pontoon bridge, on the 22d), thus forming a junction 
with the columns from Newborn and Wilmington. 

Among the important fruits of this campaign was the fall of 
Charleston, South Carolina. It was evacuated by the enemy on 
the night of the ITth of February, and occupied by our forces on 
the 18th. 

On the morning of the 31st of January General Thomas was 
directed to send a cavalry expedition, under General Stoneman, 
from East Tennessee to penetrate South Carolina well down tow- 
ard Columbia, to destroy the railroads and military resources of 
the country, and return, if he was able, to East Tennessee by way 
of Salisbury, North Carolina, releasing our prisoners there, if possi- 
ble. Of the feasibility of this latter, however. General Stoneman 
was to judge. Sherman's movements, I had no doubt, would at- 
tract the attention of all the force the enemy could collect and fa- 
cilitate the execution of this. General Stoneman was so late in 
making his start on this expedition (and Sherman having passed 
out of the State of South Carolina), on the 27th of February I di- 
rected General Thomas to change his course, and ordered him to 
repeat his raid of last fall, destroying the railroad toward Lynch- 
burg as far as he could. This would keep him between our -garri- 
sons in East Tennessee and the enemy. I regarded it not impos- 
sible that in the event of the enemy being driven from Eichmond 
he might fall back to Lynchburg and attempt a raid north through 
East Tennessee. On the 14th of February the following commu- 
nication was sent to General Thomas : 



EEPOKT OF LIEUTENAIirr-GBNEEAL U. 8. GEANT. 57 

"City Point, Va., February 14, 1865. 

" General Canby is preparing a movement from Mobile Bay against 
Mobile and tbe interior of Alabama. His force will consist of about 
20,000 men, besides A. J. Smith's command. The cavalry you^bave sent 
to Canby will be debarked at Vicksburg. It, Avith. tbe available cavalry 
already in that section, will move from there eastward, in cooperation. 
Hood's army has been tenibly reduced by the severe punishment you gave 
it in Tennessee, by desertion consequent upon their defeat, and now by the 
withdrawal of many of them to oppose Sherman. (I take it a large por- 
tion of the infantry has been so withdrawn. It is so asserted in the Rich- 
mond papers, and a member of the rebel CongTess said a few days since in 
a speech, that one-half of it had been brought to South Carolina to oppose 
Sherman.) This being true, or even if it is not true, Canby's movement 
will attract all the attention of the enemy, and leave the advance from 
yom- stand-point easy. I think it advisable, therefore, that you prepare 
as much of a cavalry force as you can spare, and hold it in readiness to go 
south. The object would be threefold : first, to attract as much of the 
enemy's force as possible to insure success to Canby ; second, to destroy 
the enemy's line of communications and military resources ; third, to 
destroy or captm'e their forces brought into the field. Tuscaloosa and 
Selma would probably be the points to direct the expedition against. This, 
however, would not be so important as the mere fact of penetrating deep 
into Alabama. Discretion should be left to the officer commanding the 
expedition to go where, according to the information he may receive, he 
wiU best secure the objects named above. 

" Now that your force has been so much depleted, I do not know what 
number of men you can put into the field. If not more than 5,000 men, 
however, aU cavalry, I think it will be sufficient. It is not desu-able that 
you should start this expedition until the one leaving Vicksburg has been 
three or fom* days out, or even a week. I do not know when it will start, 
but will inform you by telegraph as soon as I learn. If you should hear 
through other sources before hearing from me, you can act on the informa- 
tion received. 

" To insure success, your cavalry should go with as little wagon train 
as possible, relying upon the country for supplies. I would also reduce 
the number of guns to a battery, or the number ©f batteries, and put the 
extra teams to the guns taken. No guns or caissons should be taken with 
less than eight horses. 

" Please inform me by telegraph, on receipt of this, what force you 
tiiink you will be able to send under these directions. 

" U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

" Major-General G. H. Thomas." 



58 EEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEE4L U. S. GEAJSTT. 

On the 15tli, he was directed to start the expedition as soon 
after the 20th as he could get it off. 

I deemed it of the utmost importance, before a general move- 
ment of the armies operating against Richmond, that all communi- 
cations with the city, north of James Eiver, should be cut off. 
The enemy having withdrawn the bulk of his force from the 
Shenandoah Valley and sent it south, or replaced troops sent from 
Richmond, and desiring to reenforce Sherman, if practicable, 
whose cavalry was greatly inferior in numljers to that of the 
enemy, I determined to make a move from the Shenandoah, which, 
if successful, would accomplish the first at least, and possibly the 
latter of these objects. I therefore telegraphed General Sheridan 
as follows : 

" City Point, Va., February 20, 1865—1 p. M. 

" General : As soon as it is possible to travel I think you will have 
no difficulty about reacliiug Lynchburg Avith a cavalry force alone. From 
there you could destroy the railroad and canal in every direction, so as to 
be of no further use to the rebellion. Sufficient cavalry should be left be- 
hind to look after Mosby's gang. From Lynchburg, if information you 
might get there would justify it, you could strike south, heading the 
streams in Virginia to the westward of Danville, aud push on and join 
General Sherman. This additional raid, with one now about starting from 
East Tennessee under Stoneman, numbering four or five thousand cavalry, 
one from Vicksburg, nmnbering seven or eight thousand cavalry, one from 
Eastport, Mississippi, ten thousand cavalry, Canby from Mobile Bay, with 
about thirty-eight thousand mixed troops, these three latter pushing for 
Tuscaloosa, Selma, and Montgomery, and Sherman with a large army eat- 
ing out the vitals of South Carolina, is all that will be wanted to leave 
nothing for the rebellion to stand upon. I would advise you to overcome 
great obstacles to accomplish this. Charleston was evacuated on Tuesday 
last. " TJ. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

" Major-General P. H. Sherida?^." 

On the 25th I received a despatch from General Sheridan, in- 
quiring where Sherman was aiming for, and if I could give him 
definite information as to the points he might be expected to move 
on this side of Charlotte, North Carohna. In answer, the follow- 
ing telegram was sent him : 

" City Point, Va., February 25, 1865. 

" General : Sherman's movements will depend on the amount of oppo- 
sition he meets with from the enemy. If strongly opposed, he may possi- 



KEPOET OF LIEUTENAITT-GENEEAI. U. S. GEAJirr. 59 

bly have to fall back to Georgetown, S. C, and fit out for a new start. I 
think, however, all danger for the necessity of going to that point has 
passed. I believe he has passed Charlotte. He mav take Fayctteville on 
his wav to Goldsboro'. If you reach Lynchburg, you will bave to be 
guided in your after movements by the information you obtain. Before 
you could possibly reach Sherman, I think you would find him mov-" 
ing from Goldsboro' toward Ealeigh, or engaging the enemy strongly 
posted at one or the other of these places, with railroad communications 
opened from his army to Wilmington or Newbern. 

" U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 
" Major-General P. H. Sheridan." 

General Sheridan moved from "Winchester on the SYtli of 
February, with two divisions of cavalry, numbering about 5,000 
each. On the 1st of March he secured the bridge, which the 
enemy attempted to destroy, across the middle fork of the Shenan- 
doah, at Mount Crawford, and entered Staunton on the 2d, the 
enemy having retreated on Waynesboro'. Thence he pushed 
on to Waynesboro', where he found the enemy in force in an 
intrenched position, under General Early. Without stopping to 
make a reconnoissance, an immediate attack was made, the position 
was carried, and sixteen hundred prisoners, eleven pieces of artil- 
lery, with ho]:ses and caissons complete, two hundred wagons and 
teams loaded with subsistence, and seventeen battle-flags, were 
captured. The prisoners, under an escort of fifteen hundred men, 
were sent back to Winchester. Thence he marched on Charlottes- 
ville, destroying effectually the railroad and bridges as he went, 
which place he reached on the 3d. Here he ren^ained two days, 
destroying the raiboad toward Richmond and Lynchburg, includ- 
ing the large iron bridges over the north and south forks of the 
Eivanna River, and awaiting the arrival of his trains. This neces- 
sary delay caused him to abandon the idea of capturing Lynch- 
burg. On the morning of the 6th, dividing his force into two 
columns, he sent one to Scottsville, whence it marched up the 
James River Canal to Kew Market, destroying every lock, and in 
many places the bank of the canal. From hei'e a force was 
pushed out from this column to Duiguidsville, to obtain possession 
of the bridge across the James River at that place, but failed. The 
enemy burned it on our approach. The enemy also burned the 
bridge across the river at Ilardwicksville. The other column 
moved down the railroad toward Lynchburg, destroying it as far as 



60 REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-GENEKAL U. S. GEAOT?. 

Amherst Court-House, sixteen miles from Lyneliburg; thence 
across the country, uniting with the column at ]^ew Market. The 
river being very high, his pontoons would not reach across it ; and 
the enemy having destroyed the bridges by which he had hoped to 
cross the river and get on the South Side Railroad about Farmville, 
and destroy it to Appomattox Court-House, the only thing left for 
him was to return to Winchester or strike a base at the White 
House. Fortunately, he chose the latter. From Kew Market he 
took up his line of march, following the canal toward Richmond, 
destroying every lock upon it and cutting the banks wherever 
practicable, to a point eight miles east of Goochland, concentrating 
the whole force at Columbia on the 10th. Here he rested one day, 
and sent tlirough by scouts* information of his whereabouts and 
purposes, and a request for supplies to meet him at White House, 
which reached me on the night of the 12th. An infantry force 
was immediately sent to get possession of White House, and sup- 
plies were forwarded. Moving from Columbia in a direction to 
threaten Richmond, to near Ashland Station, he crossed the Annas, 
and after having destroyed all the bridges and many miles of the 
railroad, proceeded down the north bank of the Pamunkey to 
White House, which place he reached on the 19th. 

Previous to this the following communication wfts sent to Gen- 
eral Thomas : 

"City Point, Va., March '7, 1865—9:30 a, m. 

" General : I think it will be advisable now for you to repair the rail- 
road in East Tennessee, and throw a good force up to Bull's Gap and 
fortify there. Supplies at Knoxville could always be got forward as re- 
quired. With Bull's Gap fortified, you can occupy as outposts about all 
of East Tennessee, and be prepared, if it should be required of you in the 
spring, to make a campaign toward Lynchburg, or into North Carolina. 
I do not think Stoneman should break the road until he gets into Vir- 
ginia, unless it should be to cut off rolling stock that may be caught west 
of that. U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-Gen eral. 

" Major-General G. H. Thomas." 

Thus it will be seen that in March, 1865, General Canby was 
moving an adequate force against Mobile and the army defending 
it under General Dick Taylor ; Thomas was pushing out two large 
and well-appointed cavalry expeditions — one from Middle Tennessee 
under Brevet Major-General Wilson against the enemy's vital 
points in Alabama, the other from East Tennessee under Major- 



EEPORT OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL U. S. GRANT. 61 

General Stoneman toward Lynchburg — and assembling the re- 
mainder of Ms available forces, preparatory to offensive operations 
from East Tennessee ; General Sheridan's cavahy was at White 
House ; the Armies of the Potomac and James were confronting the 
enemy, under Lee, in his defences of Richmond and Petersbui'g ; 
General Sherman with his armies, reenforced by that of General 
Schofield, was at Goldsboro' ; General Pope was making prepara- 
tions for a spring campaign against the enemy under Kirby Smith 
and Price, west of the Mississippi ; and General Hancock was con- 
centrating a force in the vicinity of Winchester, Virginia, to guard 
against invasion or to operate offensively, as might prove necessary. 

After the long march by General Sheridan's cavalry over 
winter roads, it was necessary to rest and refit at White House. 
At this time the greatest source of uneasiness to me was the fear 
that the enemy would leave his strong Knes about Petersburg and 
Richmond for the purpose of uniting with Johnston, before he was 
driven from them by battle, or I was prepared to make an effectual 
pursuit. On the 24th of March General Sheridan moved from 
White House, crossed the James River at Jones' Landing, and 
formed a junction with the Army of the Potomac in front of 
Petersburg on the 27th. During this move. General Ord sent 
forces to cover the crossings of the Chickahominy. 

On the 24th of March the following instructions for a general 
movement of the armies operating against Richmond were issued : 

" City Point, Va., March 24, 1865. 

" General : On the 29th instant the armies operating against Rich- 
mond will be moved by our left, for the double purpose of turning the 
enemy out of his present position around Petersburg, and to insure the 
success of the cavalry under General Sheridan, which will start at the same 
time, in its eflbrts to reach and destroy the South Side and Danville Rail- 
roads. Two corps of the Army of the Potomac will be moved at first in 
two columns, taking the two roads crossing Hatcher's Run, nearest where 
the present line held by us strikes that stream, both moving toward Din- 
widdle Court-House. 

"The cavalry under General Sheridan, joined by the division now 
under General Davies, will move at the same time by the Weldon road 
and the Jerusalem plank road, turning west from the latter before crossing 
the Nottaway, and west with the whole column before reaching Stony 
Creek. General Sheridan will then move independently, under other in- 
structions which will be given him. All dismounted cavalry belonging to 



62 EEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL U. P. GEAISTT. 

tlie Army of the Potomac, and tlie dismounted cavalry from the middle 
military division not required for guarding property belonging to their arm 
of service, will report to Brigadier-General Benham, to be added to the 
defences of City Point. Major-General Parke "vvill be left in command of 
all the army left for holding the lines about Petersburg and City Point, 
subject, of course, to orders from the commander of the Army of the 
Potomac. The Ninth Army Corps will be left intact to Iiold the present 
line of works so long as the whole line now occupied by us is held. If, 
however, the troops to the left of the Ninth Corps are withdrawn, then 
the left of the corps may be thrown back so as to occupy the position 
held by the army prior to the capture of the Weldon road. All troops to 
the left of the Ninth Corps will be held in readiness to move at the short- 
est notice by such route as may be designated when the order is given. 

" General Ord will detach three divisions, two white and one colored, 
or so much of them as he can and hold his present Imes, and march for 
the present left of the Army of the Potomac. In the absence of further 
orders, or until further orders are given, the white divisions will follow the 
left column of the Army of the Potomac, and the colored division the 
right column. During the movement Major-General Weitzel will be left 
in command of all the forces remaining behind from the Ai-my of the 
James. 

" The movement of troops from the Army of the James will com- 
mence on the night of the 27th instant. General Ord will leave behind 
the minimum number of cavalry necessary for picket duty, in the absence 
of the main army. A cavalry expedition from General Ord's command 
will also be started from Suffolk, to leave there on Saturday, the 1st of 
April, under Colonel Sumner, for the purpose of cutting the railroad about 
Hicksford. This, if accomplished, will have to be a surprise, and there- 
fore from three to five hundred men will be sufficient. They should, how- 
ever, be supported by all the infantry that can be spared from Norfolk and 
Portsmouth, as far out as to where the cavalry crosses the Blackwater, 
The crossing should probably be at Uniten. Should Colonel Sumner suc- 
ceed in reaching the Weldon road, he will be instructed to do all the dam- 
age possible to the triangle of roads between Hicksford, Weldon, and Gas- 
ton. The railroad bridge at Weldon being fitted up for the passage of 
carriages, it might be practicable to destroy any accumulation of supplies 
the enemy may have collected south of the Roanoke. All the troops will 
move with four days' rations in haversacks, and eight days' in wagons. 
To avoid as much hauling as possible, and to give the Anny of the James 
the same number of days' supply with the Army of the Potomac, General 
Ord will direct his commissary and quartermaster to have sufficient sup- 
phes delivered at the terminus of the road to fill up in passing. Sixty 
rounds of ammunition per man will be taken in wagons, and as much 



KEPOKT OF LIETJTENANT-GElSrEEAL TJ. S. GRANT. 63 

grain as the transportation on liand will carry, after taking tlie specified 
amount of other supplies. The densely wooded country in which the 
army has to operate making tRe use of much artillery impracticable, the 
amount taken with the army will be reduced to six or eight guns to each 
division, at the option of the army commanders. 

" All necessary preparations for can-ying these directions into operation 
may be commenced at once. The reserves of the Ninth Corps should be 
massed as much as possible. Whilst I would not now order an uncondi- 
tional attack on the enemy's line by them, they should be ready, and 
should make the attack if the enemy weakens his line in their front, with- 
out waiting for orders. In case they carry the line, then the whole of the 
Ninth Corps could follow up so as to join or cooperate with the balance of 
the army. To prepare for this, the Ninth Corps will have rations issued to 
them, same as the balance of the anny. General Weitzel will keep vigil- 
ant watch upon his front, and if found at all practicable to break through 
at any point, he will do so. A success north of the James should be fol- 
lowed up with gTeat promptness. An attack will not be feasible unless it 
is found that the enemy has detached largelj^ In that case it may be re- 
garded as evident that the enemy are relying upon their local reser\'es, 
principally for the defence of Richmond. Preparations may be made for 
abandoning all the line north of the James, except enclosed works — only 
to be abandoned, however, after a break is made in the lines of the 
enemy. 

" By these instructions a large part of the armies operating against 
Richmond is left behind. The enemy, knowing this, may, as an only 
chance, strip their lines to the merest skeleton, in the hope of advantage 
not being taken of it, whilst they hurl everything against the moving 
column, and return. It cannot be impressed too strongly upon command- 
ers of troops left in the trenches not to allow this to occur without taking 
advantage of it. The very fact of the enemy coming out to attack, if he 
does so, might be regarded as almost conclusive evidence of such a weak- 
ening of his lines. I would have it particularly enjoined upon corps com- 
manders that, in case of an attack from the enemy, those not attacked are 
not to wait for orders from the commanding officer of the army to which 
they belong, but that they will move promptly, and notify the commander 
of their action. I would also enjoin the same action on the part of divi- 
sion commanders when other parts of their corps are engaged. In like 
manner, I would urge the importance of following up a repulse of the 
enemy. U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

" Major-Generals Meade, Ord, and Sheridan." 

Early on the morning of the 25tli the enemy assaulted our 
lines in front of the J^intli Corps (whicli held from the Appomattox 



64: EEPOET OF LIEUTENAIJT-GENEKAL U. S. GKJLNT. 

Eiver toward our left) and carried Fort Steadman, and a part of 
the line to the right and left of it, established themselves and 
turned the guns of the fort against lis ; but our troops on either 
flank held their ground until the reserves were brought up, when 
the enemy was driven back with a heavy loss in killed and wound- 
ed and 1,900 prisoners. Oar loss was sixty-eight killed, three hun- 
dred and thirty-seven wounded, and five hundred and six missing. 
General Meade at once ordered the other corps to advance and 
feel the enemy in their respective fronts. Pushing forward, they 
captured and held the enemy's strongly intrenched picket line in 
front of the Second and Sixth Corps, and eight hundred and thirty 
four prisoners. The enemy made desperate attempts to retake this 
line, but without success. Our loss in front of these was fifty-two 
killed, eight hundred and sixty-four wounded, and two hundred 
and seven missing. The enemy's loss in killed and wounded was 
far greater. 

General Sherman having got his troops all quietly in camp 
about Goldsboro', and his preparations for furnishing supplies to 
them perfected, visited me at City Point on the 27th of March, and 
stated that he would be ready to move, as he had previously 
written me, by the 10th of April, fully equipped and rationed for 
twenty days, if it should become necessary to bring his command 
to bear against Lee's army, in cooperation with our forces in front 
of Richmond and Petersburg. General Sherman proposed in this 
movement to threaten Raleigh, and then, by turning suddenly to 
the right, reach the Roanoke at Gaston or thereabouts, whence he 
could move ou to the Richmond and Danville Railroad, strilcing it 
in the vicinity of Burkesville, or join the armies operating against 
Richmond, as might be deemed best. This plan he was directed 
to carry into execution, if he received no further directions in the 
mean time. I explained to him the movement I had ordered to 
commence on the 29th of March. That if it should not prove as 
entirely successful as I hoped, I would cut the cavalry loose to' 
destroy the Danville and South Side Railroads, and thus deprive the 
enemy of further supplies, and also prevent the rapid concentration 
of Lee's and Johnston's armies. 

1 had spent days of anxiety lest each morning should bring the 
report that the enemy had retreated the night before. I was firm- 
ly convinced that Sherman's crossing the Roanoke would be the 
signal for Lee to leave. With Johnston and him combined, a long, 



REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAIi U. S. GEiLNT. 65 

tedious, and expensive campaign, consuming most of the summer, 
might become necessary. By moving out I would put the army 
in better condition for j)ursuit, and would at least, by the destruc- 
tion of the Danville road, retard the concentration of the two 
armies of Lee and Johnston, and cause the enemy to abandon 
much material that he might otherwise save. I therefore de- 
termined not to delay the movement ordered. 

On the night of the 27th, Major-General Ord, with two divi- 
sions of the Twenty-fourth Corps, Major-General Gibbon com- 
manding, and one division of the Twenty-fifth Corps, Brigadier- 
General Birney commanding, and McKenzie's cavalry, took up his 
line of march in pursuance of the foregoing instructions, and 
reached the position assigned him near Hatcher's Eun on the 
morning of the 29th. On the 28th the following instructions were 
given to General Sheridan : 

" City Point, Va., March 28, 1865. 

" General : Tlie Fifth Army Corps will move by the Vaughn road at 
3 A. M. to-morrow morning. The Second moves at about 9 a. m., having 
but about three miles to march to reach the point designated for it to take 
on the right of the Fifth Corps, after the latter reaching Dinwiddie Court- 
House. Move your cavalry at as early an hour as you can, and without 
being confined to any particular road or roads. You may go out by the 
nearest roads hi rear of the Fifth Corps, pass by its left, and, passing near 
to or through Dinwiddie, reach the right and rear of the enemy as soon as 
you can. It is not the intention to attack the enemy in his intrenched 
position, but to force him out, if possible. Should he come out and 
attack us, or get himself where he can be attacked, move in with your 
entire force in your own way, and with the full reliance that the army will 
engage or follow, as circumstances whl dictate. I shall be on the field, and 
will probably be able to communicate with you. Should I not do so, and 
you find that the enemy keeps within his main intrenched line, you may 
cut loose and push for the Danville road. If you find it practicable, I 
would like you to cross the South Side road, between Petersburg and 
Burkesville, and destroy it to some extent. I would not advise much de- 
tention, however, until you reach the Danville road, which I would like 
you to strike as near to the Appomattox as possible. Make your destruc- 
tion on that road as complete as possible. You can then pass on to the 
South Side road, west of Burkesville, and destroy that in like manner. 

"After having accomplished the destruction of the two railroads, 
which are now the only avenues of supply to Lee's army, you may return to 
this army, selecting your road further south, or you may go on into North 
5 



66 EEPORT OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL U. S. GRANT. 

Carolina and join General Sherman. Should you select the latter course, 
get the information to me as early as possible, so that I may send orders 
to meet you at Goldsboro'. 

"U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 
•' Major-General P. H. Sheridan." 

On the morning of the 29tli the movement commenced. At 
night the cavalry was at Dinwiddie Court-House, and the left of 
our infantry line extended to the Quaker road, near its intersec- 
tion with the Boydton plank road. The position of the troops, 
from left to right, was as follows : Sheridan, "Warren, Humphreys, 
Ord, Wright, Parke. 

Every thing looked favorable to the defeat of the enemy and 
the capture of Petersburg and Eichmond, if the proper effort was 
made. I therefore addressed the following communication to Gen- 
eral Sheridan, having previously informed him verbally not to cut 
loose for the raid contemplated in his orders until he received no- 
tice from me to do so : 

" Gravelly Creek, March 29, 1865. 

" General : Our line is now unbroken from the Appomattox to Din- 
widdie. We are all ready, however, to give up all, from the Jerusalem 
plank road to Hatcher's Run, whenever the forces can be used advantage- 
ously. After getting into line south of Hatcher's, we pushed forward to 
find the enemy's position. General Griffin was attacked near where the 
Quaker road intersects the Boydton road, but repulsed it easily, capturing 
about one hundred men. Humphreys reached Dabney's mill, and was 
pushing on when last heard from. 

" I now feel like ending the matter, if it is possible to do so, before 
going back. I do not want you, therefore, to cut loose and go after the 
enemy's roads at present. In the morning push around the enemy, if you 
can, and get on to his right rear. The movements of the enemy's cavalry 
may, of course, modify your action. We will act all together as one army 
here until it is seen what can be done with the enemy. The signal officer 
at Cobb's Hill reported, at 11:30 a.m., that a cavalry column had passed 
that point from Richmond toward Petersburg, taking forty minutes to pass. 

" U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

" Major-General P. H. Sheridan." 

From the night of the 29th to the morning of the 31st the rain 
fell in such torrents as to make it impossible to move a wheeled 
vehicle, except as corduroy roads were laid in front of them. 
During the 30th, Sheridan advanced from Dinwiddie Court-House 



REPORT OF LIEUTEKAl^-GENEEAL U. 8. GRANT. 67 

toward Five Forks, wliere he found the enemy in force. General 
■ "Warren advanced and extended his line across the Boydton plank 
road to near the White Oak road, with a view of getting across the 
latter ; but, finding the enemy strong in his front and extending 
beyond his left, was directed to hold on where he was and fortify. 
General Humphreys drove the enemy from his front into his main 
line on the Hatcher, near Burgess's Mills, Generals Ord, Wright, 
and Parke made examinations in their fronts to determine the 
feasibility of an assault on the enemy's lines. The two latter re- 
ported favorably. The enemy confronting us, as he did, at every 
point from Richmond to our extreme left, I conceived his lines 
must be weakly held, and could be penetrated if my estimate of 
his forces was correct. I determined, therefore, to extend my line 
no further, but to reenforce General Sheridan with a corps of in- 
fantry, and thus enable him to cut loose and turn the enemy's right 
flank, and with the other corps assault the enemy's lines. The re- 
sult of the offensive effort of the enemy the week before, when he 
assaulted Fort Steadman, particularly favored this. The enemy's 
intrenched picket line captured by us at that time threw the lines 
occupied by the belligerents so close together at some points that 
it was but a moment's run from one to the other. Preparations 
were at once made to relieve General Humphreys' corps, to report 
to General Sheridan; but the condition of the roads prevented 
immediate movement. On the morning of the 31st, General War- 
ren reported favorably to getting possession of the White Oak 
road, and was directed to do so. To accomplish this, he moved 
with one division, instead of his whole corps, which was attacked 
by the enemy in superior force and driven back on the second di- 
vision before it had time to form, and it, in turn, forced back upon 
the third division, when the enemy was checked. A division of 
the Second Corps was immediately sent to his support, the enemy 
driven back with heavy loss, and possession of 'the White Oak 
road gained. Sheridan advanced, and with a portion of his cav- 
alry got possession of the Five Forks ; but the enemy, after the af- 
fair with the Fifth Coi-ps, reenforced the rebel cavahy, defending 
that point with infantry, and forced him back toward Dinwiddle 
Court-Hoase. Here General Sheridan displayed great generalship. 
Instead of retreating with his whole command on the main army, 
to tell the story of superior forces encountered, he deployed his 
eavahy on foot, leaving only mounted men enough to take charge 



68 KEPOET OF LIEUTEJSTANT-GENEEAL TJ. S. GEANT. 

of the liorses. This compelled the enemy to deploy over a vast ex- 
tent of woods and broken country, and make his progress slow. 
At this juncture he despatched to me what had taken place, and 
that he was dropping back slowly on Dinwiddle Court-House. 
General McKenzie's cavalry and one division of the Fifth Corps 
were immediately ordered to his assistance. Soon after, receiving 
a report from General Meade that Humphreys could hold our 
position on the Boydton road, and that the other two divisions of 
the Fifth Corps could go to Sheridan, they were so ordered at 
once. Thus the operations of the day necessitated the sending of 
Warren, because of his accessibility, instead of Humphreys, as was 
intended, and precipitated intended movements. On the morning 
of the 1st of April, General Sheridan, reenforced by General War- 
ren, drove the enemy back on Five Forks, where, late in the even- 
ing, he assaulted and carried his strongly fortified position, captur- 
ing all his artillery and between 5,000 and 6,000 prisoners. 

About the close of this battle, Brevet Major-General Charles 
Griffin relieved Major-General Warren in command of the 5th 
corps. The report of this reached me after nightfall. Some appre- 
hensions filled my mind lest the enemy might desert his lines during 
the night, and by falling upon General Sheridan before assistance 
could reach him, drive him from his position and open the way for 
retreat. To guard against this. General Miles' division of Humph- 
reys' corps was sent to reenforce him, and a bombardment was com- 
menced and kept up until 4 o'clock in the morning (April 2), when 
an assault was ordered on the enemy's lines. General Wright pene- 
trated the lines with his whole corps, sweeping every thing before 
him, and to his left toward Hatcher's Eun, capturing many guns 
and several thousand prisoners. He was closely followed by two 
divisions of General Ord's command, until he met the other division 
of General Ord's that had succeeded in forcing the enemy's lines near 
Hatcher's Run. Generals Wright and Ord immediately swung to 
the right, and closed all of the enemy on that side of them in Peters- 
burg, while General Humphreys pushed forward with two divisions 
and joined General Wright on the left. General Parke succeeded in 
carrying the enemy's main line, capturing guns and prisoners, but 
was unable to carry his inner line. General Sheridan, being ad vised 
of the condition of afi'airs, returned General Miles to his proper com- 
mand. On reaching the enemy's lines immediately surrounding 
Petersburg, a portion of General Gibbon's corps, by a most gallant 



KEPORT OF LIEUTENAJ^T-GENEKAL tJ. S. GEANT. 69 

charge, captured two strong, enclosed works — tlie most salient and 
commanding south of Petersburg — thus materially shortening the 
line of investment necessary for taking in the city. The enemy 
south of Hatcher's Run retreated westward to Sutherland's Sta- 
tion, where they were overtaken by Miles's division. A severe 
engagement ensued, and lasted until both his right and left flanks 
were threatened by the approach of General Sheridan, who was 
moving from Ford's Station toward Petersburg, and a division 
sent by General Meade from the front of Petersburg, when he broke 
in the utmost confusion, leaving in our hands his guns and many 
prisoners. This force retreated by tlie main road along the Appo- 
mattox River. During the night of the 2d the enemy evacuated 
Petersburg and Richmond, and retreated toward Danville. On 
the morning of the 3d pursuit was commenced. General Sheridan 
pushed for the Danville road, keeping near the Appomattox, fol- 
lowed by General Meade with the Second and Sixth Corps, while 
General Ord moved for Burkesville along the South Side road ; the 
I^inth Corps stretched along that road behind him. On the ttth, Gen- 
eral Sheridan struck the Danville road near Jettersville, where he 
learned that Lee was at Amelia Court-House. He immediately 
intrenched himself and awaited the arrival of General Meade, who 
reached there the next jday. General Ord reached Burkesville on 
the evening of the 5th. 

On the morning of the 5th, I addressed Major-General Sherman 
the following communication : 

"Wilson's Station, April 5, 1865. 

" General : All indications now are that Lee will attempt to reach 
Danville with the remnant of his force. Sheridan, who was up with him 
last night, reports all that is left, horse, foot, and dragoons, at 20,000, 
much demoralized. We hope to reduce this number one-half. I shall 
push on to Burkesville, and, if a stand is made at Danville, wUl in a very 
few days go there. If you can possibly do so, push on from where you 
are, and let us see if we cannot finish the job with Lee's and Johnston's 
armies. Whether it will be better for you to strike for Greensboro', or 
nearer to Danville, you will be better able to judge when you receive this. 
Kebel armies now are the only strategic points to strike at. 

" JJ. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

" Major-General W. T. Sherman." 

On the morning of the 6th it was found that General Lee was 
moving west of Jettersville, toward Danville. General Sheridan 



70 REPORT OF LIEUTENAJSrr-GENEEAL U. S. GEANT. 

moved witli liis cavalry (the Fifth Corps having been returned to 
General Meade on his reaching Jettersville), to strike his flank, 
followed by the Sixth Corps, while the Second and Fifth Corps 
pressed hard after, forcing him to abandon several hundred wagons 
and several pieces of artillery. General Ord advanced from Burkes- 
ville toward Farmville, sending two regiments of infantry, and, a 
squadi'on of cavalry, under Brevet Brigadier-General Theodore 
Read, to reach and destroy the bridges. This advance met the 
head of Lee's column near Farmville, which it heroically attacked 
and detained until General Kead was killed and his small force 
overpowered. This caused a delay in the enemy's movements, and 
enabled General Ord to get well up with the remainder of his force, 
on meeting which the enemy immediately intrenched himself. In 
the afternoon General Sheridan struck the enemy south of Sailor's 
Creek, captured sixteen pieces of artillery and about four hundred 
wagons, and detained him until the Sixth Corps got up, when a 
general attack of infantry and cavalry was made, which resulted in 
the capture of six or seven thousand prisoners, among whom were 
many general officers. The movements of the Second Corps and 
General Ord's command contributed greatly to the day's success. 

On the morning of the 7th the pursuit was renewed, the cavalry, 
except one division, and the Fifth Corps moving by Prince Ed- 
ward's Court-House; the Sixth Corps, General Ord's command, 
and one division of cavalry, on Farmville, and the Second Corps 
by the High Bridge road. It was soon found that the enemy had 
crossed to the north side of the Appomattox, but so close was the 
pursuit that the Second Corps got possession of the common bridge 
at High Bridge before the enemy could destroy it, and immediately 
crossed over. The Sixth Corps and a division of cavalry crossed 
at Farmville to its support. 

Feeling now that General Lee's chance of escape was utterly 
hopeless, I addressed him the following communication from Farm- 
ville: 

"April V, 1865. 
" General : The result of the last week must convince you of the 
hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern 
Virginia in this struggle. I feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty to 
shift from myself the responsibihty of any further effusion of blood, by 
asking of you the surrender of that portion of the Confederate States army 
known as the Army of Northern Virginia. 

" U. S. Gkant, Lieutenant-General. 
" General " . E. Lee." 



REPORT OF LIEUTENAJSTT-GENERAL U. S. GRANT. 71 

Early on the morning of the 8th, before leaving, I received at 
Farmville the following : 

" April 7, 1866. 
" General : I have received your note of this date. Though not en- 
tertaining the opinion you express on the hopelessness of further resist- 
ance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia, I reciprocate your 
desire to avoid useless eflfusion of blood, and therefore, before considering 
your proposition, ask the terms you will offer on condition of its surrender. 

"R. E. Lee, General. 
" Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant." 

To this I immediately replied : 

"April 8, 1865. 

" General : Your note of last evening, in reply to mine of same date, 
asking the condition on which I will accept the surrender of the Army of 
Northern Virginia, is just received. In reply I would say that, peace 
being my great desire, there is but one condition I would insist upon, 
namely : That the men and officers surrendered shall be disqualified for 
taking up arms again against the Government of the United States until 
properly exchanged. I wiU meet you, or will designate officers to meet any 
officers you may name for the same purpose, at any point agreeable to you, 
for the purpose of arranging definitely the terms upon, which the surrender 
of the Army of Northern Virginia will be received. 

" U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

"General R. E. Lee." 

Early on the morning of the 8th the pursuit was resumed. 
General Meade followed north of the Appomattox, and General 
Sheridan, with all the cavalry, pushed straight for Appomattox 
Station, followed by General Ord's command and the Fifth Corps. 
During the day General Meade's advance had considerable fight- 
ing with the enemy's rear guard, but was unable to bring on a gen- 
eral engagement. Late in the ,evening General Sheridan struck 
the railroad at Appomattox Station, drove the enemy from there, 
and captured twenty-five pieces of artillery, a hospital train, and 
four trains of cars loaded with supplies for Lee's army. During 
this day I accompanied General Meade's column, and about mid- 
night received the following communication from General Lee : 

"April 8, 1865. 
" General : I received at a late hour your note of to-day. In mine 
of yesterday I did not intend to propose the surrender of the Army of 



72 KEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL U. 8. GRANT. 

Northern Virginia, but to ask tlie terms of your proposition. To be 
frank, I do not think the emergency has arisen to call for the surrender of 
this army ; but as the restoration of peace should be the sole object of all, 
I desired to know whether your proposals would lead to that end. I can- 
not, therefore, meet you with a view to surrender the Army of Northern 
Virginia ; but as far as your proposal may afiect the Confederate States 
forces under my command, aud tend to the restoration of peace, I should 
be pleased to meet you at 10 a.m. to-morrow on the old stage road to 
Richmond, between the picket lines of the two armies. 

" R. E. Lee, General. 
" Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant." 

Early on the morning of the 9tli I returned him an answer as 
follows, and immediately started to join the column south of the 
Appomattox : 

" AprU 9, 1865. 

" General : Your note of yesterday is received. I have no authority 
to treat on the subject of peace ; the meeting proposed for A. M. to-day 
could lead to no good. I will state, however, General, that I am equally 
anxious for peace with yourself, and the whole North entertains the same 
feeling. The terms upon which peace can be had are well understood. 
By the South laying down their arms they will hasten that most desirable 
event, save thousand* of human lives, and hundreds of millions of property 
not yet destroyed. Seriously hoping that all our difficulties may be settled 
without the loss of another life, I subscribe myself, &c., 

" U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

« General R. E. Lee." 

On the morning of the 9tli General Ord's command and the 
Fifth Corps readied Appomattox Station just as the enemy was 
making a desperate effort to break through our cavalry. The infan- 
try was at once thrown in. Soon after a white flag was received, 
requesting a suspension of hostilities pending negotiations for a . 
surrender. 

Before reaching General Sheridan's headquarters, I received 
the following from General Lee : 

" AprU 9, 1865. 

" General : I received your note of this morning on the picket line, 
whither I had come to meet you, and ascertain definitely what terms were 
embraced in your proposal of yesterday with reference to the surrender of 
this army. I now ask an interview in accordance with the offer contained 
in your letter of yesterday for that purpose. R. E. Lee, General. 

" Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant." 



EEPOET OF LIEUTENAITT-GENERAL U. S. GEANT. 73 

The interview was held at Appomattox Court-Honse, the result 
of which is set forth in. the following correspondence : 

"Appomattox Cocrt-House, Va., April 9, 1865. 

" GrENERAL '. Ill accordance witli the substance of my letter to you of 
the 8th instant, I propose to receive the suiTender of the Army of North- 
em Virginia on the foUowiug terms, to wit : Rolls of the officers and men 
to be made in duplicate, one copy to be given to an officer to be designated 
by me, the other to be retained by such oflBcer or officers as you may desig- 
nate. The officers to give their individual paroles not to take up arms 
against the Government of the United States untU properly exchanged ; 
and each company or regimental commander sign a like parole for the men 
of theh commands. The arms, artillery, and public property to be packed 
and stacked, and turned over to the officers appointed by me to receive 
them. This will not embrace the side-arms of the officers, nor their private 
horses or baggage. This done, each officer and man will be aEowed to 
return to their homes, not to be disturbed by United States authority 
so long as they observe their paroles and the laws in force where they may 
reside. U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-Gen eral. 

« General R. E. Lee." 

" Headquarters Army of Northern Ya., April 9, 1863, 
" General : I received your letter of this date containing the terms of 
the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia as proposed by you. As 
they are substantially the same as those expressed in your letter of the 8th 
instant, they are accepted. I will proceed to designate the proper officers 
to carry the stipulations into eflFect. R. E. Lee, General. 

" Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant." 

The command of Major-General Gibbon, the Fifth* Army Corps 
under Griffin, and McKenzie's cavalry, were designated to remain 
at Appomattox Court-House until the paroling of the surrendered 
army was completed, and to take charge of the public property. 
The remainder of the army immediately returned to the vicinity 
of Burkesville. 

General Lee's great influence throughout the whole South caused 
his example to be followed, and to-day the result is that the armies 
lately under his leadership are at their homes, desiring peace and 
quiet, and theii- arms are in the hands of our ordnance officers. 

On the receipt of my letter of the 5th, General Sherman moved 
directly against Joe Johnston, who retreated rapidly on and through 
Ealeigh, which place General Sherman occupied on the morning of 



74: KEPOET OF LIEUTENAITT-GENEEAL 1J. S. GRANT. 

the 13tL. The day preceding news of the surrender of General 
Lee reached him at Smithfield. 

On the 14th a correspondence was opened between General 
Sherman and General Johnston, which resulted on the 18th in an 
agreement for the sus23ension of hostilities, and a memorandum or 
basis for peace, subject to the approval of the President. This 
agreement was disapproved by the President on the 21st5 which dis- 
approval, together with your instructions, was communicated to 
General Shei'man by me in person on the morning of the 24:th, 
at Paleigh, North Carolina, in obedience to your orders. I*^otice 
was at once given by him to General Johnston for the termination 
of the truce that had been entered into. On the 25th another 
meeting between them was agreed upon, to take place on the 26th, 
which terminated in the surrender and disbandment of Johnston's 
army upon substantially the same terms as were given to General 
Lee. 

The expedition under General Stoneman from East Tennessee 
got off on the 20th of March, moving by way of Boone, ISTorth 
Carolina, and struck the railroad at Wytheville, Chambersburg, and 
Big Lick. The force striking it at Big Lick pushed on to within a 
few miles of Lynchburg, destroying the important bridges, while 
with the main force he effectually destroyed it between ISTew Piver 
and Big Lick, and then turned for Greensboro' on the North Caro- 
lina Pailroad ; struck that road and destroyed* the bridges between 
Danville and Greensboro', and between Greensboro' and the Yad- 
kin, togetlier with the depots of supplies along it, and captured 
400 prisoners. At Salisbury he attacked and defeated a force of 
the enemy under General Gardiner, capturing fourteen pieces of 
artillery and 1,364 prisoners, and destroyed large amounts of army 
stores. At this place he destroyed fifteen miles of railroad and the 
bridges toward Charlotte. Thence he moved to Slatersville. 

General Canby, who had been directed in January to make 
preparations for a movement from Mobile Bay against Mobile and 
the interior of Alabama, commenced his movement on the 20th of 
March. The Sixteenth Corps, Major-General A. J. Smith command- 
ing, moved from Fort Gaines by water to Fish Piver ; the Thir- 
teenth Corps, under Major-General Gordon Granger, moved from 
Fort Morgan and joined the Sixteenth Corps on Fish Piver, both 
moving thence on Spanish Fort and investing it on the 27th ; while 
Major-General Steele's command moved from Pensacola, cut the 



REPORT OF LIEUTENAISTT-GENERAL U. S. GRAJ^^T. 75 

railroad leading from Tensas to Montgomery, effected a junction 
with them, and partially invested Fort Blakely. After a severe 
bombardment of Spanish Fort a part of its line was carried on the 
8th of April. During the night the enemy evacuated the fort. 
Fort Blakely was carried by assault on the 9th, and many prison- 
ers captured ; our loss was considerable. These successes practi- 
cally opened to us the Alabama Eiver, and enabled us to approach 
Mobile from the north. On the night of the 11th the city was 
evacuated, and was taken possession of by our forces on the morn- 
ing of the 12th. 

The expedition under command of Brevet Major-General Wilson, 
consisting of 12,500 mounted men, was delayed by rains until March 
22d, when it moved from Chickasaw, Alabama. On the 1st of April 
General "Wilson encountered the enemy in force under Forrest near 
Ebenezer Church, drove him in confusion, captured 300 prisoners 
and three guns, and destroyed the central bridge over the Cahawba 
River. On the 2d he attacked and captured the fortified city of 
Selma, defended by Forrest with 7,000 men and thirty-two guns, de- 
stroyed the arsenal, armory, naval foundry, machine shops, vast quan- 
tities of stores, and captm'ed 3,000 prisoners. On the 4:th he captured 
and destroyed Tuscaloosa. On the 10th he crossed the Alabama 
River, and after sending information of his operations to General 
Canby, marched on Montgomery, which place he occupied on the 
14:th, the enemy having abandoned it. At this place many stores 
and five steamboats fell into our hands. Thence a force marched 
direct on Columbus, and another on West Point, both, of which 
places were assaulted and captured on the 16th. At the former 
place we got 1,500 prisoners and fifty-two field guns, destroyed two 
gunboats, the navy yard, foundries, arsenal, many factories, and 
much other public property. At the latter place we got three 
hundred prisoners, four guns, and destroyed nineteen locomotives 
and three hundred cars. On the 20th he took possession of Macon, 
Georgia, with sixty field guns, 1,200 militia, and five generals, 
surrendered by General Howell Cobb. General Wilson, hearing 
that Jeff. Davis was trying to make his escape, sent forces in pur- 
suit and succeeded in capturing him on the morning of May 11th. 

On the 4:th day of May General Dick Taylor surrendered to 
General Canby all the remaining rebel forces east of the Missis- 
sippi. ' 

A force sufficient to insure an easy triumph over the enemy 



Y6 EEPOKT OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL U. S. GEAiJT. 

undier Kirby Smitb, west of the Mississippi, was immediately put 
in motion for Texas, and Major-General Slieridan designated for 
its immediate command ; but on the 26th day of May, and be- 
fore they reached their destination, General Kirby Smith sur- 
rendered his entire command to Major-General Canby. This 
surrender did not take place, however, until after the capture of 
the rebel President and Yice-President ; and the bad faith was 
exliibited of first disbanding most of his army and permitting 
an indiscriminate plunder of public property. 

Owing to the report that many of those lately in arms against 
the Government had taken refuge upon the soil of Mexico, car- 
rying with them arms rightfully belonging to the United States, 
which had been surrendered to us by agreement — among them 
some of the leaders who had surrendered in person — and the dis- 
turbed condition of affairs on the Eio Grande, the orders for troops 
to proceed to Texas were not changed. 

There have been severe cofnbats, raids, expeditions, and move- 
ments to defeat the designs and purposes of the enemy,, most of 
them reflecting great credit on our arms, and which contributed 
greatly to our final triumph, that I have not mentioned. Many of 
these will be found clearly set forth in the reports herewith sub- 
mitted ; some in the telegrams and brief despatches announcing 
them, and others, I regret to say, have not as yet been ofiicially re- 
ported. 

For information touching our Indian difliculties, I would re- 
spectfully refer to the reports of the commanders of departments 
in which they have occurred. 

It has been my fortune to see the annies of both the "West and 
the East fight battles, and from what I have seen I know there is 
no difference in their fighting qualities. All that it was possible 
for men to do in battle they have done. The Western armies com- 
menced their battles in the Mississippi Yalley, and received the 
final surrender of the remnant of the principal army opposed to 
them in North Carolina. The armies of the East commenced 
their battles on the river from which the Army of the Potomac de- 
rived its name, and received the final surrender of their old antago- 
nist at A])pomattox Court-House, Yirginia. The splendid achieve- 
ments of each have nationalized our victories, removed all sec- 
tional jealousies (of which we have unfortunately experienced too 
much), and the cause of crimination and recriihination that might 



EEPOET OF LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL U. S, GEAJSTT. 77 

have followed had either section failed in its duty. All have a 
proud record, and all sections can well congratulate themselves 
and each other for having done their full share in restoring the 
supremacy of law over every foot of territory belonging to the 
United States, Let them hope for perpetual peace and harmony 
with that enemy, whose manhood, however mistaken the cause, 
drew forth such herculean deeds of valor. 
I have the honor to be, 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

TJ. S. GEAKT, Lieutenant-General. 
Hon. E. M. Stajstton, Secretary of War. 

Adjtjtai^t-Genekal's Office, I^ovember 18, 1865, 
[Official copy]. E. D. Townsend, 

Assistant Adjutant-General.^ 



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